DISQUALIFIED drivers who kill behind the wheel will face longer jail terms under tougher sentences announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling.

Under the law reforms, set to be introduced next year, offenders defying driving bans will be hit with up to ten years in prison if they cause a death and up to four years for causing serious injury.

The current maximum sentence faced by a driver who causes death while driving when disqualified is two years in jail, while there is no specific offence of causing serious injury while banned.

Daily Echo:

It comes after moped rider Jade Clark, from Ringwood, died after being hit by banned driver Brian Hampton, above, on the A31 in February 2013.

Hampton was sentenced to six years for causing the death of the popular 16-year-old, and for attempting to cover up his involvement in the crash.

At the time of the collision the railway health and safety consultant was serving a ban for drink-driving.

He did not stop at the scene and lied to his wife and to the garage where he had repairs carried out to his Volvo in a bid to escape detection.

Daily Echo: Jade Clark

Jade Clark

Hampton, a father-of-two from Kent, was sentenced to two years for causing death by careless driving and four years for perverting the course of justice, with the sentences to run consecutively.

Mr Grayling, below, said: “I want to make our roads safer and ensure people who cause harm face tough penalties.

“Disqualified drivers should not be on our roads for good reason. Those who choose to defy a ban imposed by a court and go on to destroy innocent lives must face serious consequences for the terrible impact of their actions.

Daily Echo: Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell and Secretary of State for Justice

“Today we are sending a clear message that anyone who does will face much tougher punishment.”

He also announced plans for a full review of all driving offences and penalties, which includes offences committed by uninsured and unlicensed |drivers.