DEVIZES MP Claire Perry took to the floor of the House of Commons on Tuesday to fight for justice after the son of Upavon couple Richard and Angela Gilbey died on a pedestrian crossing when a speeding car hit him.

Major Gilbey approached Mrs Perry to tell her of the circumstances surrounding the death of James Gilbey, 25 and now wants it possible for courts to impose a life sentence in such serious cases.

She said: "Major Gilbey, an Army PT instructor living locally who came to tell me about the death of his son, James last year near Leeds.

"A 28 year -old –man, with 39 previous convictions, was racing his car against one driven by his friend in a testosterone-fuelled spree that saw them reach speeds of up to 90mph through residential areas - and hit James as he crossed the Stanningley by-pass via a pelican crossing on his way home.

"Through my tears and sense of outrage with which I heard the details of James’ death, I listened hard to and agreed with the Gilbeys’ proposal that the men who killed James had in fact committed involuntary manslaughter – which carries a maximum term of life imprisonment and so I have arranged a debate in the House of Commons to argue for a change in sentencing guidelines for such dreadfully callous and wicked crimes."

The drivers in the Gilbey case were charged with causing death by dangerous driving, with the offence ranked as the most serious, which carries a maximum custody sentence of fourteen years.

However they only received an eight-year prison sentence, which is automatically cut to four years under current guidelines. Mrs Perry said: "This punishment was so lenient that James’ family had to witness the defendants and their families celebrating in the courtroom when the terms of imprisonment were read out.

"James’ family are not alone in feeling that this punishment does not fit the crime. According to BRAKE, the road safety charity, only a third of those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving are given prison sentences of more than five years and the maximum sentence is almost never given to those convicted.

"While courts can try these crimes as manslaughter, only a handful have been tried in this way over the last few years. It is hard to see how the actions of Mr. Malik do not fit perfectly the definition of involuntary manslaughter – while Malik did not set out to kill, his grossly negligent and unlawful driving caused James’ death. Where a life is taken by such grossly unlawful and negligent behaviour the courts should be able to impose a life sentence."