PLANS to allow judges to sentence killer drivers to life in prison have been welcomed by the father of Liberty Baker.

Paul Baker said bringing death by dangerous driving in line with manslaughter could allow other families to get the justice that he believes he and wife Maureen were denied.

Liberty was 14 when she was knocked down and killed by Robert Blackwell in Curbridge Road in Witney in June 2014.

Blackwell, who received a text message seconds before the crash, admitted death by dangerous driving and was jailed for four years, which Mr Baker said was too short.

He has since campaigned for longer sentences and at the weekend Justice Minister Sam Gyimah the Government wanted to bring in tougher punishments.

Mr Baker said: “Maureen and I are really pleased, it looks like the Government is starting to take it more seriously.

“The guidelines are completely wrong, judges have their hands tied.

“We have lost Liberty but it is future victims who we want proper justice for.

“We cannot wish for any more.”

The Government will launch a consultation on the proposals, which could also see drivers convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs given life sentences.

The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years, but the average custodial sentence in 2015 was four years.