Norfolk MP supporting local campaign calls case "one of the most difficult he's ever had to deal with"
Summer Mace was told by the Attorney General that the case into the man who killed three of her family wouldn't be opened
A Norfolk MP who's supporting a local woman's campaign for tougher sentencing for dangerous driving says it's one of "the most difficult cases he's ever had to deal with as an MP".
It's a week after Summer Mace met with the Attorney General, and was told the case into the man who killed three of her family via dangerous driving wouldn't be opened.
Aurelijus Cielevicius, 39, from King's Lynn was jailed for 10 and a half years last year, after he pleaded guilty to causing their deaths by dangerous driving, in June.
He was found to be under the influence of a "cocktail of drugs" before the collision.
"We need to look at how we can change this"
James Wild is MP for North West Norfolk.
He told us he'll now be reaching out to the Home Office to discuss how bail conditions can be tightened, and will be contacting the Attorney General to see if there's any way to get the case reviewed:
"I was pleased to have the meeting and for the family to set out how this has affected them, as well as letting them ask any questions about the decision.
"The Attorney General explained that under the current system it's not possible now that the time has elapsed to refer the case which is very disappointing and frustrating. We need to look at how we can change this.
"The speed that the individual was going, the fact that he was on Police bail, had drugs in his system and drove past a marked Police car is just horrendous.
"Parliament legislated for a maximum of life in prison for causing death by dangerous driving"
"I think it's one of the most difficult cases that I've ever had to deal with as an MP. That's why I'm committed to doing all I can to support the family to pursue changes that will look to toughen up the system.
"If the decision is that the judgement was inline with the sentencing guidelines then we need to go back to those. As Parliament legislated for a maximum of life in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
"This individual was convicted on three counts of this heinous crime, yet the starting point for him was selected at 14 years."
What has the Government said?
An AGO spokesperson said:
“The Attorney General met with Summer Mace, Jason Mace and Claire Tea and passed on her condolences at the tragic deaths of their family members. She also listened to the concerns they had regarding the handling of their case.”
Background:
• If a sentence given in a Crown Court appears to be very low, or unduly lenient, anyone can ask the Law Officers to examine the sentence, within 28 days of sentencing.
• The Law Officers may then ask the Court of Appeal to look at the sentence if they are satisfied the legal test is met. The Court may decide to keep the sentence the same, increase it, or refuse the application.
Only certain types of case can be reviewed, eg:
• murder
• manslaughter
• rape
• robbery
• causing death by dangerous driving