A petition calling for the six-year sentence given to killer driver Addil Haroon to be increased has been launched.

The Attorney General has already been asked to review the term following a public backlash - now victim Joseph Brown-Lartey’s devastated girlfriend is lobbying for an increase and a change in the law.

The petition has been launched on the website change.org.

Haroon, 19, ran a red light at a busy crossroads in Rochdale in a hired Audi A6 and ploughed into an Audi being driven by Mr Brown-Lartey, 25, who was killed instantly.

The smash at the junction of Sandy Lane and Bury Road happened just 24 hours after Haroon, of Essex Street, Rochdale, bragged about speeding at 142mph on the M62 by posting a picture on a Snapchat message to a friend.

He only had a provisional licence and pleaded guilty at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, driving while unlicenced and driving while uninsured - but furious M.E.N. readers slammed the six-year sentence as too soft.

Now Mr Brown-Lartey’s girlfriend Amelia Drogan has issued an appeal for public support.

Writing on change.org she said: “Please sign this petition for an increase in the sentence given to Addil Haroon for taking an innocent life and receiving only six years, serving only three in a young offenders’ institution. There needs to be a change in the law to make the sentence fit the crime. The collision was described by police officers who attended the scene as the worst they had ever seen on an urban street, so why such a lenient sentence? Haroon was driving in excess of 80mph in a 30mph zone, driving straight through a red light."

“Joe wasn’t just anybody. He was such a kind, loving, gentle, genuine boy with so much to offer. He was always there to help everybody and anybody. Joe was always giving, such a caring soul. His hopes and plans for the future have been taken away forever.”

Amelia released a new photograph of her with Mr Brown-Larty and told the M.E.N.: “My world has well and truly been ripped apart. I have just been robbed of my best friend and soulmate.

“Addil Haroon will never ever understand the pain he has caused. I didn’t think the wound could cut any deeper but after the appalling sentence, it is just an insult to Joe and his family. It just breaks my heart.”

The impact of the smash on November 9 last year was so severe that it split the Audi Mr Brown-Larty was driving in two.

Haroon had taken a picture on his mobile phone the night before while racing on the M62 at 142mph. He told a friend in a Snapchat message attached to the picture: “Leeds to Rochdale in 11 minutes. Catch me.”

The court heard how the white £20,000 Audi A6 he was in was hired using another man’s driving licence, which was reported stolen.

Haroon also tried to flee the scene in a taxi after the smash and repeatedly denied to police that he was at the wheel. But his friends later told police he was the driver and officers found his DNA on the airbag.

The Court of Appeal can increase the sentence, decide it should stay the same or refuse to hear the case.