THE parents of Violet-Grace say they are the ones facing a “life sentence” after the men jailed for their involvement in their four-year-old daughter’s death were handed jail terms that many Star readers believe are too lenient.

Aidan McAteer, 23, and Dean Brennan, 27, were both sentenced on Friday, May 19 at Liverpool Crown Court.

McAteer was jailed for nine years and four months after the hit-and-run crash which killed a four-year-old girl and seriously injured her grandmother. He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing Violet-Grace's death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Angela French.

Brennan was jailed for six years and eight months after admitting the aggravated taking of a vehicle and assisting an offender.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the men had ran past Violet-Grace Youens, four, as she lay injured on the ground.

The court heard the stolen Ford Fiesta, which had cloned number plates, began travelling at speeds of about 80mph in the busy 30mph area after passing a police car on a roundabout – although officers were not in pursuit.

Following their sentencing, Violet-Grace’s dad, Glenn Youens, put the following post on social media.

“Myself and Rebecca Lauren Youens have a life sentence, Violet-Grace has a life sentence. Whatever sentence served will never be enough for the pain and suffering caused by Aidan McAteer and Dean Brennan.

“Our pain and suffering is forever, irreversible. They did not care about anyone that day apart from themselves.

“Driving at such high speeds (in a built-up area, full of children and families), it was inevitable someone would be killed, and sadly, they killed our beautiful baby girl.

“Not everyone is evil in this world. Our faith in humanity has been restored by the people of St Helens and the whole country for your continued support and well wishes. You have all touched us all as a family.”

Glenn, who along with his with Rebecca also has a one-year-old son Oliver, stated that the McAteer and Brennan had ran past Violet-Grace to flee the scene, with McAteer boarding a plane to Amsterdam just hours later.

The grieving parents thanked Merseyside Police, their family liaison officer and the doctors and nurses at both Whiston and Alder Hey Hospital, as well as those who tried to save their little girl.

Glenn added: “We would like to thank Merseyside Police; especially Ian Harrison our family liaison officer, who has been with us every single step off the way; Detective Inspector Jason Pye, the doctors and nurses at Whiston and Alder Hey Hospitals, the transplant nurses, the Ambulance Service, Fire service, and every single person who stopped and tried to help Violet-Grace and Angela.

"Violet-Grace donated her organs and saved the lives of two other people. This is what we feel needs to be heard more and hopefully something positive can come of this awful nightmare we are living.

"Not a second goes by we don't think of you Violet-Grace we love and miss you so much."