Shropshire border death-drive campaign MP takes case forward
A campaign to change the law for the sentencing of driving offences following the death of a boy on the Shropshire border has taken a further step forward after a Parliamentary debate, an MP says.
A Bill was introduced by Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones in Parliament last month, prompted by the death of nine-year-old Robert Gaunt of Overton.
Robert died after being knocked down by a car on the road near his home in 2009.
Wrexham man David James Lunn was the driver of the car which was involved in the collision with Robert.
Lunn was unlicensed and uninsured but only served 10 months in jail.
Miss Jones, Robert's family's local MP, is backing a campaign for more severe sentences for drivers involved in serious driving offences and held a back bench business debate on the issue in the House of Commons last Monday.
She said: "The debate was a very good and constructive one, with some very thoughtful speeches from MPs from different political parties.
"There are clear discrepancies with what would have happened had the car been a firearm.
"If the case had involved a gun, a knife or a baseball bat and a life was taken, it is highly likely that the sentence would have been vastly longer.
"Ten months in jail for ending the life of a young boy is not right."
Miss Jones added: "The sentencing guidelines are terribly subjective and open to interpretation – and they hold back the judges from making the decisions that, in all justice, need to be made.
"The average sentence served by drivers who kill or seriously injure another human being – a mother, father or child – while driving is 11 months.
"If there is a need for legislation, I hope that the Government will bring it forward."
Miss Jones said she was pleased to hear the Government said it would look closely at the legislative framework relating to serious driving offences, and is considering whether the current maximum penalties reflect the seriousness of offending behaviour.
She added: "We are certainly not there yet with our campaign.
"However, the debate was very positive indeed and marked a real step forward.
"It demonstrated how strong the cross party support is for the campaign is and also how many problems there are with sentencing and driving offences.
"Although the arguments here are very technical, if these ideas can be examined seriously, they will make a huge difference so that never again will we see a case like Robert Gaunt's where a child's life will be taken by an irresponsible driver who serves only 10 months in jail."
