Local MP Caroline Dinenage pushed the Prime Minister at PMQs today to review the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. The question followed the recent sentencing of Gosport resident Samuel Etherington to nine years in prison after he admitted causing the deaths of two local girls, Jasmine Allsop, 14, and Olivia Lewry, 16, whom he hit with a car.
Speaking in the House of Commons Caroline asked the Prime Minister:
"Last week a judge sentenced a Gosport man to 9 years in prison for causing the death by dangerous driving of two teenage girls. Given that amounts to effectively 4 years per life, does the PM agree that it is high time we looked again at the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving?"
Responding to the question, the Prime Minister replied:
"The point she raises about dangerous driving is indeed an issue that was raised at Prime Ministers questions last week, and as I said then, I think it's important that the Lord Chancellor and his department look carefully at what more we can do to send the clearest possible message about the unacceptability of this crime."
Caroline has recently written to the Justice Minister asking for a review of the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, which currently stands at 14 years.
