Parliament set date to debate Violet-Grace's Law

As previously reported by the Star, an e-petition which demands life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill – has amassed 160,000 names.

This means it must be "considered" for a parliamentary debate and today people who put their name to the petition were informed MPs will discuss calls for the law change on Monday, June 3.

Violet's parents Glenn and Becky Youens launched the online petition in February after waiting 18 months for the government to act on its vow to strengthen sentencing powers for people convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

The family want life sentences, with a minimum tariff of 15 years, for motorists convicted of the offence.

A sign on Prescot Road calling for drivers to slow down for Violet

Violet's dad Glenn – who will run the London Marathon on Sunday sporting a flag that calls for Violet's Law – has also confirmed today that he and Becky will be going to Westminster to meet with Justice Minister Rory Stewart next week.

Writing on social media, he said: "We had confirmation this week that on June 3 #violetslaw will be debated in parliament, which we will be there for.

"We also have a meeting next week with Rory Steward the Justice Minister. Hopefully changes will happen and it's all been down to everyone's help.

"We will not stop until changes are made.

"This Sunday I will also be running the London Marathon with the Slow Down for Violet-Grace and Violet-Grace's Law flag.

"Even though things are starting to happen it's still important we don't stop yet. We need to keep this fight going until the changes are made."

Angelic: Violet-Grace Youens

In 2017, Liverpool Crown Court heard how Aidan McAteer, then 23, and passenger Dean Brennan, 27, had ran past Violet-Grace Youens, four, as she lay injured on the ground following the car hitting her on Prescot Road.

McAteer, who fled to Amsterdam within hours of the collision, pleaded guilty to causing Violet-Grace's death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to her grandmother Angela French.

He was jailed for nine years and four months.

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

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.

The car had been through two red lights before it lost control on Prescot Road and hit a kerb before colliding with Angela , who was crossing the road with her granddaughter in her arms.

The vehicle then hit a lamppost and the defendants, both from Prescot, got out of the driver's side door, running past the injured youngster to make their escape.

CCTV footage played in court showed McAteer running down a nearby street in the moments following the crash, with Brennan a short distance behind him.

Angela suffered serious injuries to her legs, as well as fractures to her feet, ribs and jaw.

Sentencing Judge Denis Watson QC, said: "You must have seen Mrs French and Violet lying, desperately injured, on the road, yet neither of you stopped, neither of you did anything to summon help, neither of you gave them a moment's thought or gave them any assistance at all.

"Your thoughts were for yourself, your escape and of avoiding responsibility for what happened."

The court heard within hours of the fatal collision, at 3pm on a Friday, McAteer had boarded a plane to Amsterdam, after Brennan went to his mother's house to collect his passport for him.

Brennan handed himself in the following Monday.

McAteer returned to the country after his mother, Alicia, who was in court for the sentencing, made an appeal through police for him to come back.

He was arrested at Manchester Airport after getting a flight back to the country from Alicante, Spain, on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said when interviewed by officers McAteer said after the crash he had decided to clear his head "go to Amsterdam for a few days and smoke some weed".

Star readers and Violet's parents believe the sentences were too weak, prompting the campaign for Violet-Grace's Law.

McAteer was also sentenced for causing serious injury to Angela by driver dangerously but the sentences run concurrently rather than consecutively.

When parole is taken into account, he could be out of prison after serving less time than Violet lived.

Glenn and Becky have also called for changes in the law that mean sentences run consecutively when a dangerous driver has multiple victims.

Speaking last month, Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston, whose constituency covers Eccleston where the Youens live, added: “I want to thank everyone who has supported Violet’s parents, by signing this petition to get the law on dangerous driving changed.

A horse-drawn hearse carrying Violet's coffin. Her death devastated the St Helens community

"While the petition reaching more than 100,000 signatures means it will get debated in Parliament, it is still important that we continue to pressure the government going forwards, and I welcome the Minister for Justice Rory Stewart agreeing to meet with Violet’s parents and me.

"People can help us to show the government that this an issue that needs addressing by continuing to sign the petition.

"By working together, we won’t allow this to be debated once and then forgotten.”