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Jailed for three years: Driver who killed family of six
Paul Cheston16.02.09
A Portuguese lorry driver was today jailed for three years for causing the deaths of a family of six.
David and Michelle Statham and their four children were travelling home to North Wales when Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva's 40-tonne lorry smashed into their people carrier on the M6 at Sandbach, Cheshire, last October.
The couple died instantly with sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and their 10-week-old daughter Ellouise.
Passing sentence at Cheshire crown court judge Mr Justice Irwin jailed da Silva for three years on each count, telling him he would serve 18 months in custody before being allowed out on licence.
Da Silva was also disqualified from driving for three years. The jury returned its guilty verdict, by a majority of 11 to one, after just over six hours of deliberation.
Da Silva made no reaction as the trial verdicts were delivered but his son, sitting in the public gallery, burst into tears with his head in his hands.
Mr Justice Irwin said: "This case arose from a terrible tragedy. Anyone who has heard the case could not help but have strong, indeed overwhelming, sympathy for the families of those who died, a whole family wiped out.
"In my view the evidence does not show Mrs Statham crashed first. I bear in mind the maximum sentence is five years.
"Although six deaths, this was one episode and the prison sentences must be concurrent. This was one of the most serious offences of its kind."
In the public gallery, Mrs Statham's parents Carole and Peter Hagans wiped away tears, leaving after sentencing.
Reader views (9)
Its not as though this guy went out with the intent of killing anyone - it was an accident and should be treated that way - they guy got three years what else do you want - blood?
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt
RIP
We are in a backward country! No justice!
- Elly, London, UK
But we don't know what exactly happened so how can we know whether the sentence was fair or not?
- Isabel, Woking
One year in jail for killing six people,is'nt life cheap under NuLabour.
- Stan White, leeds
6 people - he killed six people. 18 months - what a wonderful country. No wonder everyone want to move in.
- Rich, San Angelo USA
He'll be out in 18 months: that's 3 months per person he KILLED. How can a judge possibly justify such a very light sentence? It is outrageous, a gross insult to justice, a slap in the face to the family and friends of those killed, and no deterrent at all to potential dangerous drivers. A tragedy on a tragedy.
- Alf Bennett, London, England.
It is amazing to me an entire family is killed and all the guy gets is 3 years and will be out in 18 months?
Here he would not be out for atleast 5-10 years.
- Bruce, USA
What does somebody have to do to get the maximum sentence of five year?
It's a pity that the law says the sentences must be concurrent. If they were consecutive, we may have a sense of justice over this.
- Andrew, London W1
This was a terrible tragedy but it was not explained how the accident happened, whether the lorry driver was driving recklessly or the car driver contributed to the crash.
A G
- Awesome Geronimo, Leeds UK
