The family of tragic schoolgirl Rebecca Sawyer (pictured) last night accused the Government of offering "false hopes" and making "empty promises" that killer drivers would be brought to justice.

A year ago today Rebecca's uncle Paul and aunt Sandra, Wansbeck MP Dennis Murphy and Journal representatives handed an 18,500 signature petition to Home Secretary David Blunkett pushing for a new law to recognise manslaughter by driving.

Rebecca, six, from Ashington, died on New Year's Eve 2002 after her family's car was hit by a stolen vehicle driven by disqualified driver Ian Carr. Carr, who had 89 previous convictions, was jailed for just nine-and-a-half years.

The Home Secretary bowed to the family promising a review of driving convictions saying "we need to make sure that Rebecca's life was not lost in vain."

The review is yet to be published and, while the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving has been increased from 10 to 14 years, campaigners are still calling for it to be enforced in the courts.

The Journal yesterday, on behalf of the family, asked Mr Blunkett why the results of the review had still not been published and when he would give an answer on the request for the new manslaughter by driving law.

Mr Blunkett said the review was soon to be published and the Government was determined to do all it can to ensure dangerous drivers who kill are properly punished.

But mother-of-two Sandra, 31, of Ashington, Northumberland, said the family felt nothing was happening.

"We are extremely disappointed. When Mr Blunkett took the petition he promised Rebecca's death would not be in vain.

"That was an empty promise that he should have kept. Why make an empty promise and give false hopes to a family who are clearly distressed?

"It is frustrating because it seems that the wheels started turning at the time but soon ground to a halt.

"It is very hard for us and other families who have lost a loved one in similar situations to sit back and see things haven't moved on.

"Nothing will ever bring Rebecca back but if we can give these drivers a proper deterrent, perhaps we can save someone else's life."

Rebecca's grandfather Bob Sawyer, of Ashington, also condemned Mr Blunkett.

"We have just been fobbed off and he was just saying what he thought would please people."

Mr Blunkett said a review of driving offences was still underway and was due to be published in the near future.

"The act of dangerous and irresponsible drivers can be devastating, not only for victims' families but for whole communities. That is why we increased the maximum penalty for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving from 10 to 14 years' imprisonment.

"The review got underway last summer and deals with some difficult issues. These need to be carefully considered and therefore, this has involved considerable and extensive work amongst road traffic and criminal justice professionals. We need to properly consider these matters to make sure we get it right."

Page 2: Carr's life of crime started when he was 15