Over 4,000 people have signed a petition calling for a review of a six-year prison sentence for a drink driver who killed a six-year-old girl.

John Stephen Owen, 46, of The Square, Oakamoor, was sentenced to six years and two months' imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last week for causing the death of six-year-old Sharlotte Naglis, who was a pupil at St Anne's primary school in Brown Edge.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing on 18 July 2022.

Owen was also banned from driving for eight years and one month and is required to complete an extended re-test.

The court heard that Owen had been driving his blue Skoda Fabia along Endon Road in Norton after drinking in Leek earlier that day.

Whilst approaching a bend at speed, Owen lost control of his car, crossed onto the other side of the road, mounted the kerb and collided with Sharlotte, who had been walking on the pavement with her father towards their home.

Sadly, Sharlotte died at the scene.

Owen, who was injured in the collision after being ejected from his vehicle due to not wearing a seatbelt, was later found to have 146µg of alcohol in his blood, against the legal limit of 80µg. He was also shown to have cocaine in his system that was just under twice the specified limit.

Forensic Collision Investigators calculated Owen's speed 200 metres prior to the collision as being in the region of 48mph.

The court was also told that Owen had been on a phone call in the moments prior to the collision and, although it was a hands-free call using the car's s Bluetooth audio system and, despite it not being a specific offence, this could have affected his ability to concentrate on his driving.

Now an online petition has been launched, with the blessing of Sharlotte's family, calling for the sentence to be reviewed.

Sharlotte's family have described the current sentence as "an insult" and have called for Owen to be jailed for the maximum possible term of 14 years, and to receive a lifetime ban from driving.

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis has also contacted the Attorney General calling for the sentence to be reviewed.

Emma Gillen, who set up the petition, said: "We urge for this sentence to be reviewed at the earliest opportunity. The whole family are suffering greatly, nothing will bring Sharlotte back and nothing can repair the pain of their terrible loss, however the family deserve justice, they deserve peace with the sentence. They will not get this in any way knowing Owen will walk free in 3 years time.

"Owen will also be eligible to drive again after 5 years after an extended test. We believe that any driver who has killed through dangerous/drink or drug driving should receive a lifetime ban.

"The sentence guidelines for this type of offence have thankfully been revised, a life sentence can now be received. Currently Owen could not be legally sentenced under these guidelines, we wish for this legality to be revised at the highest level to allow an appropriate maximum sentence to be issued.

"Should this not be possible, we would ask for a maximum sentence following the guidelines at the time, and for 14 years to mean 14 years with no eligibility for an earlier release."

PC Gavin Knott, from the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said following the sentencing: "Today's sentence can in no way make up for Sharlotte's death but I would like to thank her family and the wider community for their support whilst this complex and detailed investigation took place.

"The 'Fatal Four' are amongst the most common reasons why a death occurs on the road and includes drink and drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seat belt. Sadly, all four are factors in this collision and three no doubt contributed in the tragic death of Sharlotte. This collision was entirely avoidable and has robbed a family of a happy and loving daughter."

At the time of writing, over 4,400 people have signed the petition. If you would like to sign it click here.