Lorry death father spared prison

Collier was given a three-year community probation order

A father whose daughter died when she was crushed by a lorry driven by her 12-year-old brother has been given a three-year community probation order.

Gary Collier, 37, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of gross negligence of two-year-old Crystal whom he called his "little princess".

The Old Bailey heard he let his son start a lorry's engine at his waste disposal yard in Bedfont, west London.

Judge David Paget said Collier had "suffered enough".

The court was told Crystal was crushed in July when Collier, of Laleham, west London, put her down to rush after the vehicle which had started to move with his son, also called Gary, in the driver's seat.

'Life sentence'

Judge David Paget told Collier: "I'm not going to pass a prison sentence.

"I accept it took courage for you to plead guilty and I accept the real punishment is the loss of your child Crystal, which I have no doubt is a life sentence."

To him, she was perfect and special in every way Linda Strudwick QC

Judge Paget said Collier went to Crystal's grave every day, adding: "From the time the cemetery opens to sunset, leaving only to buy flowers or to eat.

"You have lost interest in your business. It is there only to generate enough income to buy flowers and just existing."

He added: "Eventually, you will have to move on and you will have to live with it. I do not under-estimate how difficult it will be."

Linda Strudwick QC, defending, said: "To him, she [Crystal] was perfect and special in every way.

"He had only gone to the yard with her that day to swap cars for a four-wheel drive which she preferred to ride in."

Collier was given a three-year community probation order on condition that he receives treatment from his local mental health team.