ST HELENS South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer will join former prime minister Theresa May to bring a bill before the House of Commons that aims to strengthen dangerous driving laws in memory of Violet-Grace Youens.

The bill will be introduced after the politicians were moved by the story of Violet-Grace, who was killed in an horrific hit-and-run three years ago.

The Dangerous Driving Bill, to be heard at the House of Commons on Tuesday, July 21, aims to increase the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving to life imprisonment.

A year ago, in July 2019, the parents of Violet-Grace Youens, from Eccleston, who died after being mown down by a speeding car on Prescot Road in March 2017, went to parliament pushing for a change to the law under her name.

St Helens Star:

Glenn and Becky Youens outside Parliament following the debate in July 2019

The petition called 'Violet-Grace's Law, garnered more than 167,000 signatures, and pushed for life sentences to be introduced as the maximum sentence for those found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

The response led to the matter being debated at Parliament.

Following the debate, the Government stated that they would "bring forward proposals for reform of the law as soon as parliamentary time allows".

However, because no proposals have come from Government, Theresa May, who was the prime minister at the time of the petition, has decided to bring it forward herself.

She has the full support of St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer, who supported Violet-Grace's parents Glenn and Becky Youens when they brought their petition to parliament last year.

Ms Rimmer said: “There has been enough talk and discussion on this issue, now is the time for action. The sentences for killer drivers have been far too lenient for far too long.

"It’s time for the punishment to fit the crime.

“The pain and suffering that Glenn and Becky Youens have had to endure over the past few years is unimaginable.

"From speaking with them, I know that a change in law will mean a great deal as they do not want other families to experience what they have.

"Over the coming weeks, I will be working with colleagues non-stop to try and get this Bill over the line.

"We must succeed for Violet-Grace.”

St Helens Star:

Glenn and Becky, centre, with other bereaved families who have lost loved ones to dangerous driving

Theresa May added: “I know from the tragic case of my own constituent Bryony Hollands how important this issue is. It has already received extensive scrutiny and been subject to public consultation.

“I want to see my Bill getting both cross-party and Government support so we can get justice for those victims who have tragically died as a result of somebody else’s dangerous driving.”

The Bill will be brought before the House of Commons on July 21.

St Helens Star:

Violet-Grace Youens was crossing Prescot Road with her gran Angela French on Friday, March 24, 2017, when the pair were struck by a stolen car travelling at 83mph.

The driver, Aidan Mcateer, was later convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for nine years and four months and is expected to be out of prison on licence by 2021.

Glenn and Becky were appalled by the sentence and launched the online petition in February last year 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.