THE parents of Violet-Grace Youens are calling for judges to "step up" and implement the tougher sentences brought into law in her memory.
Violet-Grace died in March 2017 after she was hit by a speeding car on Prescot Road, St Helens.
She was four years old.
The driver of that vehicle, Aidan McAteer, was sentenced to nine years and four months for causing death by dangerous driving. He was released last year.
In light of his sentence, Violet’s heartbroken parents Glenn and Becky Youens launched an online petition calling for the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving to be increased from 15 years to life.
Campaign
The petition amassed 167,000 signatures and a parliamentary debate, resulting finally, in the law change that came into place in June 2022.
Commenting on the second anniversary of the law coming into effect, Violet's parents took to the charity page, Violet-Grace’s Gift to say the following: “It’s been two years since Violet-Grace’s Law came into effect, and while some judges have handed down tougher sentences, it’s clear that it’s not enough.
Messages to judges
"Judges and the CPS need to fully embrace and rigorously apply Violet-Grace’s Law to ensure justice is served appropriately and consistently. We urge the judges to do more.
“It is not enough to occasionally issue harsher sentences; there must be a steadfast commitment to applying the full extent of the law in every case.
"Too often, we see leniency where there should be none, and this undermines the purpose of the law and fails the victims and their families.
"Both Violet’s killers were released early, after serving just over 4 years—less than half their sentences. This is disgusting and had to change.
"We were told in court by the CPS before sentencing, ‘not to expect double figures.’
“We were, and still are, distraught at this fact. How can someone tell you 'don’t expect double figures' for your child’s life—a life that had been ripped away and not yet had a chance to begin?
“All Violet’s hopes and dreams were torn away in an instant through sheer selfishness and the use of a car as a lethal weapon.
“Violet and her Nan were in the right place at the right time; Aidan McAteer and Dean Brennan were the ones in the wrong place, killing Violet-Grace. Violet-Grace lost her life, and we, her loved ones, are the ones given a life sentence.
“Judges must recognize the devastating impact these crimes have on families and communities and use their authority to impose sentences that truly reflect the severity of these offences.
“Only then can we begin to see justice that honours Violet-Grace’s memory and supports those who have suffered unimaginable losses.
“We urge the judges and CPS to do the right thing and give victims and their families the justice they deserve.
“It is time to step up and ensure that Violet-Grace’s Law is applied as it was intended, delivering justice and making our communities safer.”
Dean Brennan, the passenger in the car, was jailed for six years and eight months in total after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and assisting an offender by obtaining a passport for McAteer, who fled the country following the crash.
Brennan, from Prescot, now 30, was released on licence in November 2020 after serving half of his sentence, plus an additional three months which had been added on to his jail time.
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