A SENIOR North-East police officer is calling for tougher sentences for drivers who kill.

Chief Superintendent Bob Pattison, head of operational support at Northumbria Police, wants a change in laws dealing with motorists who cause death or serious injury.

It follows the death of six-year-old Rebecca Sawyer, who died when her family saloon was hit by a stolen car in Blyth, Northumberland, on New Year's Eve.

Ian Carr, 27, from Ashington, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison, after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Carr had 89 previous convictions and had been banned from driving several times.

But, under the present law, the maximum prison sentence the judge could impose was ten years.

Chief Supt Pattison said he could not support Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy's calls for an offence of "motor man-slaughter" to be introduced.

Instead, he has suggested a charge of "aggravated death by dangerous driving" for the statute books.

He said: "The offence termed 'motor manslaughter' was used many years ago but was found not to work.

"Many juries were reluctant to convict and the amount of proof needed was so high that prosecutions were failing.

"This led to the offence of causing death by dangerous driving being introduced instead.

"I strongly believe an offence such as this aggravated death by dangerous driving would send out a clear message to those people who simply should not be behind the wheel.

"At the same time, it would gives judges extra powers when dealing with criminals such as Carr."

Chief Supt Pattison is still carrying out research and intends to send a detailed report to Mr Murphy later this year.