THE fight for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers is being taken right to the top.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby has thrown his backing behind The Bolton News’ Drive For Justice campaign and will table a motion in Parliament, calling for the maximum tariff for dangerous drivers who seriously injure their victims to be raised.

His Early Day Motion is being backed by Bolton’s two other MPs Julie Hilling and Yasmin Qureshi after they were touched by the plight of schoolgirl Devon Foster who is facing a long road to recovery after being mown down by Christopher Marr.

Mr Crausby, who is Devon’s family’s MP, said: “I am very much on board with the Drive For Justice campaign and will be putting down an Early Day Motion.”

Drive For Justice is urging the Government to lift restrictions on judges, who under the current law can only sentence dangerous drivers, no matter what injury they cause, to two years in prison.

Hundreds of people have already signed our petition calling for courts to be able to sentence dangerous drivers who cause serious injury to be jailed for longer.

Sentencing Marr, aged 23, at Bolton Crown Court last week, Judge Steven Everett said he would be sending transcripts of the case to Prime Minister David Cameron, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke and the Lord Chief Justice as he called for the Government to increase the maximum tariffs for dangerous drivers.

Devon Foster, aged 14, suffered horrific injuries and almost died after the car Marr was driving went out of control, mounted the pavement in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, and hit a group of friends walking home from a party in the early hours of August 22.

He was jailed for just 26 months.

Mr Crausby added: “I take the view that when a judge makes a point as forcefully as this then we have got to take it seriously. I am sure he didn’t make these points lightly.

“It’s politicians’ responsibility to give the judiciary the tools they need.”

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling is also backing the campaign. She said: “Sentences have got to be commensurate with what people have done. I will be working with local MPs to take this issue forward.”

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton south-east, added: “I think it is right the tariff for this offence should be raised. I am all in favour of judges having the discretion to sentence offenders in the appropriate manner, depending on the circumstances of the offence.”

Devon, who is facing a long road to recovery following the horrific injuries she suffered in the smash, is also backing the campaign, as is her friend, George Coleman.

The 16-year-old also suffered serious injuries in the crash.