Chloe Cockton's mother urges public to back petition to increase dangerous driving sentences

The mother of a young girl who was killed by dangerous driving is urging people to sign a petition to change the law and increase sentences handed out.

Michelle Connolly lost her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe Cockton, after Chloe was tragically killed in July 2016 when the car she was a passenger in crashed at the junction of Bury Road and Mellor Street.

Witnesses reported seeing the car travelling between 60mph and 70mph before it rolled and collided with a pedestrian barrier on the opposite side of the carriageway.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/104250/chloe-cockton-died-and-four-others-injured-in-collision

Driver Michael Bowker, then 19, was sentenced in November 2016 to six-and-a-half years in a Young Offender Institution after pleading guilty to causing Chloe’s death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/106483/michael-bowker-driver-in-chloe-cockton-crash-jailed

Bowker is due to be released from prison in January 2020.  

Earlier this year, Michelle spoke of her fury after Bowker was granted permission for off site visits just two years into his sentence.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125495/mother%E2%80%99s-heartache-as-killer-of-chloe-cockton-to-be-allowed-home-leave-from-prison

Now Michelle is urging people to back a petition started by Chloe’s cousin, Chantel, to increase the sentences given to dangerous drivers.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone for their support so far and ask all to please sign the petition and see if we can make a difference in the law.

“The government has been promising change for three years and nothing [has happened]. Too many lives are being taken and the sentences being given are insulting to the poor victims and their families.

“Something needs to change; no-one will ever know until the knock on that door to be told someone you love has been killed because of someone else's stupidity.

“To then have to go to court and watch them get a pitiful sentence is sickening. Chloe's life was taken, yet Bowker will be released in January to start afresh.

“Our life sentence is only just beginning, and I wouldn't wish this on any family.

“Please sign the petition.”

To sign the petition, please visit:

• www.change.org/p/tony-lloyd-mp-petition-calling-for-law-to-change-increase-sentences-for-dangerous-drivers