FAMILY and friends of Thurrock taxi driver Norman Bullock have called on borough people to support a petition calling for a review of the sentence his killer was given.

As reported on Thurrock Nub News on Tuesday of this week 22-year-old Edvinas Pupkis was jailed for just two and a half years for causing the crash in which Mr Bullock died.

Pupkis, from Ilford - who speaks little English and ran away from the scene telling witnesses he did not know what was happening - was driving a stolen vehicle when he was in collision with Mr Bullock's taxi in the early hours of Monday, 5 October.

The popular Grays driver for Thameside Taxis died in his vehicle despite the best efforts of passing motorists who stopped and the emergency services. Meanwhile Pupkis was fleeing the scene having shown no interest or remorse for the crash.

He evaded capture in the immediate aftermath and it was only by a stroke of luck and an observant police officer that he was brought to justice after caught at the wheel of another stolen vehicle just a couple of days later.

Despite Pupkis' appalling actions, Judge Ian Graham appeared swayed by a guilty plea and gave the offender, who also admitted driving without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and failing to report a collision, just 30 months behind bars.

That sentence has sparked outrage and the launch of a petition (click here to sign) calling on the government to review the sentence.

It has already been signed more than 200 times and family friends and Mr Bullock's former colleagues hope many more will add their signatures to force the government to act.

Friend of Mr Bullock and his grieving widow Moira, Natalie Mann, said: "This is a ridiculously lenient sentence.

"Moira and so many people who knew Norman are just appalled.

"The sentencing judge appears to be in the wrong profession. He has not served justice and the effect on Moira, Norman's family and his friends is absolutely devastating.

"Moira is beside herself, she has had so much taken away from her already.

"We can only hope this petition will aid us in having some form of review for this sentence."