FAMILIES of road accident victims last night gave their backing to an Argus campaign for tougher

sentences for convicted motorists.

The campaign was launched last week after John Heaton was jailed for seven years over the death of PC Jeff Tooley.

Heaton had been drinking and speeding when he hit PC Tooley, 26, in Shoreham in April. He will be eligible for parole in three years.

PC Tooley's mother, Veronica, was among dozens of people who attended a special service for relatives of crash victims last night at Westham Parish Church, near Eastbourne. Mrs

Tooley, attending the service with her friend, Anne Clegg, who lives in Westham, said: "We all carry our cross for those we have lost. This was a wonderful idea. A chance for all of us to come together.

"It's a comfort to know people care and there is something like this for those of us who are left bereaved through such sudden deaths."

After the service Mrs Tooley stressed the importance of the Argus's Justice For Jeff campaign.

We are urging the Government to impose tougher sentencing on those who cause death through reckless and dangerous driving.

She said: "What the Argus is doing is marvellous. I wish the campaign all the success.

"Judges should certainly be given more powers, to ban people for life from our roads and even impose life sentences.

"Many people who commit these offences are laughing at the sentences they get, but it's not the judges' fault or their fault that they are not properly dealt with. It is up to the Government to act."

Tony and Pat Gildea, from Battle, were at the service to remember their son, Christian, who died two years ago at the age of 28, after being hit by a car while cycling home from work.

Tony, 66, who also backs our Justice For Jeff campaign, said: "Judges should be given the powers they need.

"I welcome anything that gives tougher powers to prevent bad drivers from getting behind the wheel."

Jay Calascione, 61, who fought a high-profile legal battle in 1985 after her 20-year-old son Simon was killed by a speeding motorist, was also at the service. Mrs Calascione, from Chichester, took out a private prosecution for dangerous driving against the driver after he was charged with careless driving, which only carried a £250 fine.

She said: "More people have died on roads in Britain than in war, but people don't realise that.

"I don't think a death on a road and the grief that brings is properly recognised.

"It's vital people realise the effect on families of such a sudden loss like a road accident never gets better. It is something we live with every day."

Sisters Janet Wiseman, from Lancing, and Joan Leigh, from Seaford, were at the service in memory of their father, Fred West, who was killed after being hit by a car on a zebra crossing in Sheffield 20 years ago.

The event, the only one of its kind in Sussex, was part of an international day of remembrance and organised by Gill Powell, from safety campaigners Road Peace.

Her 15-year-old son, Lee, died three years ago, along with an 18-year-old friend, when their car was involved in a crash on the A259 near Eastbourne.

Mrs Powell, from Pevensey Bay, said: "The nearest service like this is in Guildford. I talked to the vicar and he agreed it was a good idea.

"It's important we get the chance to get together and this will hopefully happen every year now."

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