'JUSTICE at last'.

That is how the family of an Otley teenager killed by a drunk driver has hailed news of a crackdown on dangerous and careless driving.

Sixteen year old Jamie Still died after being struck by a car on Boroughgate, Otley on New Year's Eve, 2010.

The then 21 year old driver and Arthington resident, Max McRae, was banned from driving for five years and sentenced to four years imprisonment - but ended up spending two years in jail.

Jamie's family - working closely with former Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland - has spent the best part of seven years campaigning to get the law changed.

The news they have long waited for was finally confirmed on Sunday, October 15 when the Government announced a tougher new sentencing regime that will include life sentences for the most serious offences.

Jamie's mother Karen Strong said: "This, finally, is justice.

"This is something we have campaigned for so long for.

"It won’t make a difference to us, it’s too late, but we’ve always fought so this doesn’t happen to anyone else."

Under the new rules, announced by Justice Minister Dominic Raab, drivers who cause death by dangerous driving, or careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will face life sentences.

The change has been hailed as a 'major victory' for victims' families by road safety charity Brake.

Otley-based Mr Mulholland, who was the Lib Dem MP for the constituency from 2005 until this May, raised the issue multiple times in Parliament.

His road safety campaigning, which included presenting the Criminal Driving (Justice for Victims) Bill to Parliament in 2016, earned him several major awards.

He said: "Of course I am disappointed I can’t be in the House of Commons to welcome the fruits of nearly seven years of campaigning.

"But I’m just glad that, finally, we have some very significant changes that will hopefully mean other families will not be denied justice in the future and, best of all, that now there will be far fewer people who kill through criminally reckless and disgraceful driving.

"I pay tribute to the courage of the family of Jamie Still and all the brave families of the victims, many of whom I have met and been honoured to do so.

"I also thank all the MPs who worked with me on what became such a strong, cross-party campaign.

"With these changes the clear message is that our country and society better acknowledges the seriousness of this type of crime and its devastating consequences.

"This victory is for Jamie, for David and Dorothy Metcalf - a retired couple from Cookridge who were killed by a drunk driver on New Year’s Day, 2012 - and for all the fine people who were unnecessarily and cruelly taken from this world, and for their amazing families.

"God bless them."

Jamie's father, Michael Still, and grandfather Peter Strong both thanked Mr Mulholland following this week's announcement.

Writing on the former MP's Facebook page, Mr Still said: "I still miss my boy every day.

"Massively proud of Bex, not only for her campaign but also getting on and living her life and not letting our loss define her.

"Also grateful thanks to Greg Mulholland, a great MP."

Mr Strong added: "Thank you Greg for all your hard work, I'm only sorry that you are not still in Parliament after all the you have done."

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: "It was the tragic death of Jamie Still that motivated Greg to campaign for a change in the law.

"Jamie's sister Rebecca, then just 13, started a petition that gathered over 13,000 signatures and Greg was hugely supportive of that.

"This announcement is a bittersweet moment for Jamie's mum, Karen, Rebecca and all their family and friends.

"I for one on hearing this announcement gave a thought and prayer for Jamie."