A FATHER whose son was killed by a driver speeding at 90mph has taken a petition with 14,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street.

Richard Gilbey, from Upavon, joined MP Claire Perry to deliver the petition which calls for a change to the sentencing guidelines for people who cause death by dangerous driving.

Major Gilbey’s son, James, was killed in July 2015 by two men racing their cars in Leeds. They were driving at speeds of up to 90mph in a 40mph zone.

James, 25, who was using a pedestrian crossing to cross the road was hit at such speed that he landed 70 metres down the road and died instantly from multiple injuries.

The driver, Majid Malik, left the scene, later burning his clothes and abandoning his car.

Currently the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years.

Malik and Kaiz Mahmood received eight years, which is automatically reduced to four years under current sentencing rules.

Mrs Perry said: “Over the last few months I have campaigned in parliament for a change to the sentencing guidelines, so that the worst cases of dangerous driving are tried as manslaughter and I am pleased that the government is now consulting on new proposals.

“Nothing can bring James back but a change in the law that puts the worst cases of this crime on a level with manslaughter is a step towards achieving justice for James and his family.”

Major Gilbey and his wife, Angela, want a charge of manslaughter, rather than dangerous driving, to be brought against people who cause death by racing.

They launched a petition in September for courts to impose a life sentence in such serious cases.

The petition was taken to 10 Downing Street last week.