THE parents of a man killed by a dangerous driver 17 years ago say there is still no justice for victims of vehicle crime.

Geoffrey and Margaret Willis believe that killer drivers should be given life sentences.

Their son Gareth Willis was killed, aged 29, in 1999 after he was hit by a speeding car. The driver was sentenced to 30 months in prison, suspended for 15 months.

After a campaign by the victim's devastated family, the sentence was increased to one of three years and six months and a five-year driving ban was upheld.

The bereaved parents have spoken out after hairdresser Louise Wolstenholme was killed in a road incident this year, saying the similarities in the families’ tragedies is “heartbreaking”.

The mother-of-two's killer, Tinashe Chikoto, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for death by careless driving, and a consecutive six months for perverting the course of justice.

Ms Wolstenholme, aged 53, was hit by his car in Bow Street, Bolton, dragged 100 metres, then left under the vehicle. Chikoto had fled the scene.

The Willis family has said that “history continues to repeat itself”.

Mr Willis, of Harper Green Road, Farnworth, said: “Justice is still not being done. There is no justice in trying these cases as a vehicle crime, because the end result is a pathetic sentence.

“It isn’t fair, it is not just and it doesn’t help to relieve the feeling of loss, if you ever can.

“Cars are a licence to kill. They are a weapon.

“What will it take to convince these judges, who give out these sentences, that these crimes are 'murder' with a motor vehicle? They should be given life sentences.”

Ms Wolstenholme's sons Bradley, aged 21 and Gareth, aged 27, were refused leave to appeal to the Attorney General in a bid to have Chikoto's sentence increased.

Bradley, of Bury Road, Bolton, said: “Where is the justice in this world? It is an insult to our mum’s memory and all that she lived for."

Mrs Willis added: “I know exactly how those lads are feeling, I really do. They like us, haven’t been given any justice, none at all. When I read their story I cried because of how similar it was.

“We did what they did, we stood on the town hall square with a petition we went to the court of appeal. Our appeal was accepted but he didn’t get much of an increase in sentence.

“I expected him to get the maximum sentence but no he was soon back out enjoying life, playing with his kids."

Gareth had been left for dead, alongside his seven-year-old son, after he was thrown off his motorbike in the collision in Cleggs Lane, in Little Hulton, on May 22, 1999.

He suffered multiple injuries and was placed on a life support machine at the Royal Bolton Hospital. The machine was switched off four days later. His son, Joseph, survived, but suffered serious leg injuries.

The driver's sentence was for causing death by dangerous driving, having no insurance, no driving licence and failing to stop after a collision.

Mr and Mr Willis campaigned to have the sentence extended, with the help of their then MP Brian Iddon.

Mrs Willis said: “Then there was no justice and now there still isn't.

“Every day I think of my son and everyday those lads will think of their mother.

“We are back to square one again and that is why if we can help them fight for anything then we will do.

“They have all of our support.”