TOUGHER sentences for disqualified drivers are promised by the Government today, as we report on page 18.

‘About time too’ will be the overwhelming reaction from the public.

There have been too many cases where people who are clearly a danger on the roads have walked away with seemingly light jail terms for taking the lives of innocent victims.

Here in Hampshire we have had the tragic case of Jade Clark, a 16-year-old with so much to live for and to look forward to.

But her future was taken away from her by Brian Hampton, who should not even have been on the road, having been banned for drink-driving.

His punishment was two years behind bars – plus a further four years for perverting the course of justice – while Jade’s family will have to live with what he did for the rest of their lives.

This long overdue strengthening of the penalties on offer to judges has come too late for them.

We can only hope that it may deter others from following in Hampton’s wheel tracks and spare another family from having to go through the agony they have suffered.