Mum vows to fight on over killer driver sentence

A mother said she will continue fighting to lengthen the sentence of a killer driver despite being told the case cannot go to the appeal court.

Joe-Lewis Tyler was jailed for 19 years and two months in August after crashing into a car carrying Leo Painter, six, Courtney Hemming, 26, and Claire Adkins, 39, on the A44 Spetchley Road in Worcestershire.

The Attorney General's Office has said the case did not meet the threshold to be referred to the Court of Appeal despite their families' hopes.

Ms Adkins' mother, Julia Earlam, told the BBC: "We couldn't help Claire at the end because that killer took her away from us but we will fight to see what we can do."

Tyler had spent the afternoon drinking before driving at speeds in excess of 90mph on a 50 mph, the court heard.

The case was referred to the office under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

Solicitor General Sarah Sackman said on Tuesday she was deeply saddened by the crash but after "careful consideration" there was nothing more she could do.

A call for justice

Ms Earlam said life since her daughter's death in February had been unbearable but that she did not want to give up her fight.

"We would like to take it to Downing Street," she said.

"It should have been based on three deaths - he was drugged, drunk and he was speeding."

(Left) Leo Painter, six, and (right) Claire Adkins, 39, were killed in the crash

She added: "We were actually told that death by dangerous driving carries a life sentence now, that is the new ruling, so we expected over 20 years.

"The fact he's been given 19 years and two months for all three, it doesn't seem right."

Joe-Lewis Tyler was jailed for just over 19 years following a crash that killed three people

Tyler, 34, had pleaded guilty to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He also admitted three counts of causing death while driving without insurance, and a single count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which pertained to a passenger in his car.

Ms Earlam said the sentence given would never match the life sentence of grieving for her daughter.

"It was her birthday in March - me and her dad were going to take her for a lovely meal," she said.

"Instead I had to stand at the side of her coffin to say happy birthday. No mother should have to do that.

"We're not going to give up. Any mother will fight for her child," Ms Earlam said.