'Tougher' crash sentences sought

Attorney General Lord Goldsmith calls for sentences review

The Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, has made an unprecedented appearance at a court in Belfast to argue for tougher sentences in a number of death by dangerous driving cases.

Lord Goldsmith asked the court on Thursday to reconsider sentences imposed in five cases where none of the accused in question received jail terms.

Four were given suspended sentences - one was given a conditional discharge.

But the attorney general believes these sentences were "unduly lenient".

Lord Goldsmith told the Court of Appeal that his presence was a reflection of the public concern about road deaths.

He said on average 150 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland every year.

New guidelines

"This is a horrendous loss of innocent life which leaves families devastated," said Lord Goldsmith.

"The law cannot restore life but it can have an important effect in seeking to deter others from taking risks which lead to loss of life."

SDLP councillor Alban Maginness welcomed the attorney general's move.

"I think it is timely and I hope that the Court of Appeal lays down guidelines in relation to sentencing as far as car crime is concerned," he said.

"This I believe would be helpful in terms of dealing with this particular scourge in the community."

Lord Goldsmith recently appeared in three similar cases in the Appeal Court in London.

The outcome of those cases was a recommendation that those found guilty of death by dangerous driving should receive prison sentences.

Last month, a seven-point plan to take action against drivers who cause death and injury in the province was presented to the then Criminal Justice Minister Des Browne.

The strategy was drawn up by pressure group Families Bereaved Through Car Crime.

The group was formed last year following the death of a 15-year-old girl who was knocked down by a stolen car.