Chloe Cockton’s mum backs petition demanding lifetime ban for dangerous killer drivers

Chloe Cockton’s mum has given her backing to a petition that would see a lifetime ban for dangerous drivers who have caused someone's death.

Michelle Connolly lost her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe, in July 2016 when the car she was a passenger in crashed at the junction of Bury Road and Mellor Street. Witnesses reported seeing the car travelling between 60mph and 70mph before it rolled and collided with a pedestrian barrier on the opposite side of the carriageway.
 

Read more: Over £3,000 raised in hours for funeral of Chloe CocktonPublished: 26 July 2016

Her killer, Michael Bowker received six and a half years after pleading guilty to causing Chloe’s death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
 

Read more: Mother’s heartache as killer of Chloe Cockton to be allowed home leave from prisonPublished: 18 January 2019

Now Michelle is urging people to back a petition started by the mother of a 14-year-old girl who was killed in 2020 by a dangerous driver, to stop more families from experiencing similar heartache.

Courtney Ellis died instantly when she was hit near her home in St Helens in 2020. The 21-year-old motorist, Brandon Turton, was jailed for six years and nine months, and disqualified from driving for seven years.

ITV news says the driver was travelling at speeds of up to 93 mph in a 30 mph area, and ‘had been driving around for something to do.’

Courtney’s mum, Angela Burke, has now launched a petition that needs 10,000 signatures before 4 April to get a response from government.

In the petition, Angela said: “My child was killed by a speeding driver, who was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

“My child suffered horrific instant death injuries, the driver was driving at speeds of 73-93mph when he hit her on a 30mph road, he was sentenced to 9 years minus 25% reduction for going guilty also given a 7 year driving ban to start immediately.

“When he’s released, he will have four years of his ban left. Driving is a luxury and it should be taken away if convicted of this crime.

“I've lost my child forever.”

Chloe’s family launched their own petition back in 2019 to see sentencing increase for dangerous drivers, but received just 3,800 signatures.
 

Read more: Chloe Cockton's mother urges public to back petition to increase dangerous driving sentencesPublished: 25 June 2019

Michelle said: “I watched Courtney’s mum and sister on the news last week and I really felt their pain. I know what a hard journey they have in front of them. It’s heart-breaking. I really hope they get justice for their beautiful daughter.

“No-one listened to me when I tried for Chloe – and that broke me. It made me feel like her life didn’t matter. And he [Michael Bowker] is out now living a life that she never got the chance of. I have to live with that every day.

“Something needs to change. These idiot speeding drivers don’t give a sh*t because they know it’s three years or less.

“I’ve signed the petition and I know all of mine, Chloe and Sophie’s [Chloe's sister] friends and family will too.

“Anything that could stop families having to go through this pain and the people responsible for getting away with murder.”

To sign the petition, please visit:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/623592