A HEARTBROKEN mum who says she "poured her heart out" in a law change bid says the government response has left her "disgusted".

Courtney Ellis from Haydock was just 14-years-old when she was hit by a car speeding between 73 and 93mph on Blackbrook Road on the night of September 19, 2020.

The man convicted of the crime, Brandon Turton, 21, pleaded guilty in Liverpool Crown Court and last month was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.

Turton was also disqualified from driving for seven years and four months.

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The driving disqualification started from the start of his sentence, meaning upon release in three years he will only have four years remaining on his driving ban.

Courtney’s heartbroken mum, Angela Burke, launched a petition calling for a law change in relation to the driving ban, asking for those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving to be given a lifetime driving ban.

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In order to raise awareness of the petition, she shared her story with the Star, other local media, on the radio, BBC and ITV – all in a bid to reach the 10,000 signature goal needed for the government to respond.

However, after waiting 20 days for the response, mum-of-four Angela says she is "disgusted and let down" by the response.

Read the government’s response and sign the petition by clicking here.

The Government's response stated

This is what the Government's response stated: "The Government takes road safety very seriously, and it is at the core of the Department for Transport’s agenda.

"Ministers are aware of the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Angela’s daughter and extend their deepest sympathy to her family and loved ones.

"Every road death and injury is a tragedy for the families and communities affected, and we are working hard to implement policies to help reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

"We are strengthening legislation, and how it is enforced.

"We have completed the biggest overhaul of the Highway Code in decades in 2022, so that vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists have priority in certain situations.

"In 2022, we also tightened up the law governing hand-held mobile phone use while driving, so that the police are able to enforce this dangerous offence more easily.

"We have also increased the is qualification period for those who cause death by dangerous driving or careless driving when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"But we are aware that more needs to be done. We keep the law under review and listen to the concerns of those affected by tragic cases of death or serious injury.

"That is why the Government is considering a Call for Evidence on motoring offences.

"While the potential scope and timings are being confirmed, it is expected it will include issues around drink and drug driving, and the offence of failure to stop and report.

"There may also be the opportunity to highlight other areas of concern. I would encourage you to respond to it when the time comes."

What Angela had to say

In response, Angela said: “For the past two years I dealt with my grief by keeping it inside, focussing on my other children – particularly the young ones – and it sounds awful but by trying to forget what happened to Courtney, to make it through my day.

“When Turton was sentenced and I decided to launch this petition, I couldn’t do that anymore. She needed me to share her story, my heartbreak and her sister’s heartbreak over what she saw that day.

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“I poured my heart out and spoke more about the effects Courtney’s death has had on our family to different papers and radio and TV all to try and change the law to help future Courtney’s families.

“We got the 10,000 we needed and I was so excited to finally have the response, I felt like my time trying to fight for this was going to be answered by them saying they would support me or look into it or something but instead the response isn’t specific.

“I appreciate what changes have happened to the laws. But the fact is that them being tougher on those using mobile phones and having tougher sentencing for dangerous drivers does not answer my call to ban dangerous drivers from driving again once they are released.

“Saying, they have done loads, but not answering what I’ve asked for is just so disappointing. I’m actually disgusted at the response.

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“My daughter died, their sympathies are kind but that isn’t going to make a difference to future Courtney’s and their families, a driving ban for those convicted of dangerous driving would.

“I only have just over a month now to try and reach 100,000 signatures which will force the government to actually debate this in Parliament, please if you can, please sign this petition.”

To sign the petition go to petition.parliament.uk/petitions/623592