Parents welcome change to the law

Callum Deacon was knocked down by a motorcycle

The family of a 12-year-old Leicester boy knocked down and killed two years ago are welcoming changes to the law covering death on the roads.

Callum Deacon was hit by a Yamaha motorbike in Leicester in June 2004.

The motorcyclist was convicted of driving without due care and attention and got a fine and licence points.

Callum's parents argued that was too lenient and campaigned for a new charge of causing death by reckless driving - which will come into force next summer.

Steven Chevin, from Ratby in Leicestershire, was found not guilty of death by dangerous driving in a court hearing at Leicester Crown Court on 13 February.

'Absolutely devastated'

He was fined £2,000 and given four penalty points.

The crash happened on Asquith Way in Leicester in June 2004 as Callum was out playing with his friends.

His father Ivan said the change in the law might stop other families going through the same anguish.

"He (Stevin Chevin) walked away. And to go through 21 months of torment and actually hear his sentence, we were absolutely devastated."

Labour MP for Leicester South, Sir Peter Soulsby, said the new charge aimed to fill the gap between careless driving and dangerous driving.

"What this is designed to deal with is not the momentary lapse of a driver who for a minute is distracted and something appalling happens," he said.

"It's to deal with those who are driving in a way which is irresponsible that is in fact dangerous."