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Sister of drink-drive victim Jamie Still hands in petition | Sister of drink-drive victim Jamie Still hands in petition |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A 15-year-old girl whose brother was killed by a drink-driver has handed a 13,000-signature petition into Downing Street calling for a change in the law. | A 15-year-old girl whose brother was killed by a drink-driver has handed a 13,000-signature petition into Downing Street calling for a change in the law. |
Jamie Still, 16, died in Otley, West Yorkshire, on New Year's Eve 2010. The driver who killed him was almost twice over the legal alcohol limit. | Jamie Still, 16, died in Otley, West Yorkshire, on New Year's Eve 2010. The driver who killed him was almost twice over the legal alcohol limit. |
Rebecca Still is campaigning for an automatic ban for those awaiting trial for drinking and driving offences. | Rebecca Still is campaigning for an automatic ban for those awaiting trial for drinking and driving offences. |
The Ministry of Justice said judges had the power to ban drivers on bail. | The Ministry of Justice said judges had the power to ban drivers on bail. |
'Totally disrespectful' | 'Totally disrespectful' |
Max McRae, 21, of Warren Lane, Arthington, Leeds, admitted causing Jamie Still's death by careless driving at Leeds Crown Court in September 2011 and was jailed for four years. | |
Speaking immediately after the sentencing, the teenager's family said the fact that McRae was able to continue to drive following his arrest was "totally disrespectful to Jamie". | Speaking immediately after the sentencing, the teenager's family said the fact that McRae was able to continue to drive following his arrest was "totally disrespectful to Jamie". |
Rebecca Still launched the online petition after describing the law as "stupid". | Rebecca Still launched the online petition after describing the law as "stupid". |
Jamie and Rebecca's mum, Karen Strong, said: "Rebecca's determination has been incredible. We are all so proud of her. | Jamie and Rebecca's mum, Karen Strong, said: "Rebecca's determination has been incredible. We are all so proud of her. |
"She started this campaign by herself, from her bedroom, and we only found out when she told us she was getting so much support on the internet." | "She started this campaign by herself, from her bedroom, and we only found out when she told us she was getting so much support on the internet." |
The family has been supported by their local Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland. | The family has been supported by their local Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland. |
Mr Mulholland made a speech in the House of Commons calling for a change in the law. | |
Greater deterrent | |
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The decision on whether to impose a driving ban while on bail is a matter for the judiciary, they already have the necessary powers to do this." | |
Ms Still's petition was presented to Downing Street on the same day a bill was introduced to the Commons calling for repeat drink drivers to be given jail sentences of up to two years. | |
Introducing the bill, Rehman Chisti, Conservative MP for Gillingham and Rainham, said regular offenders who continue to flout the law needed a greater deterrent. | |
Mr Chisti said the bill would allow magistrates discretion to refer a third or subsequent drink driving offence to crown court for sentencing. | |
The bill, which has support from MPs across all three main parties, was brought forward unopposed. | |
However, it is unlikely to make further progress after its second reading in November without government support. |