THE MOTHER of tragic Ryan Franklin, killed by his father when he was just two years old, has handed in a petition calling for life to mean life.

Brave Cathy Franklin, who was forced to wait 18 months to bury her young son, has already successfully campaigned to have coroners’ regulations changed.

Under new legislation coming into force later this year – dubbed Ryan’s Law – the majority of families grieving for murder and manslaughter victims will only face a maximum 40-day wait to bury their loved ones.

Now Cathy, of Blandford, has handed a 3,000-signature petition to MP Bob Walter, a staunch supporter of Ryan’s Law. Cathy said: “What I want is a 30-year minimum jail term for murderers, with no parole.

“I want manslaughter charges against children under 10 to be dropped in favour of murder.

“I don’t believe you can have manslaughter on children because they cannot defend themselves.”

Lee Khair was jailed for the manslaughter of Ryan in 2002 and has since been released after serving three years six months.

Cathy said: “I’m disgusted. I cannot see how, after just a couple of years, someone can walk the streets after taking a life.

“Most people I speak to are disgusted with the justice system. Stop giving killers stupid sentences. What kind of world are these judges living in?”

Cathy is also one of the organisers of a justice march and rally, set for Bournemouth’s Meyrick Park on March 28 at 12.30pm.

This event, the brainchild of Liverpool-based group Families For Justice, will coincide with similar marches taking place nationwide.