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Family death crash father jailed Family death crash father jailed
(about 1 hour later)
A father convicted of causing the deaths of four of his children by dangerous driving has been jailed for two years.A father convicted of causing the deaths of four of his children by dangerous driving has been jailed for two years.
Nigel Gresham, 37, a father of seven, was found guilty in December at Lincoln Crown Court.Nigel Gresham, 37, a father of seven, was found guilty in December at Lincoln Crown Court.
Gresham crashed his "unroadworthy" Land Rover into the River Witham in Lincolnshire, in September 2007.Gresham crashed his "unroadworthy" Land Rover into the River Witham in Lincolnshire, in September 2007.
His children Willow, two, Angel, four, Thor, six, and eight-year-old Keavy died as a result of the crash. The judge described the vehicle as "an accident waiting to happen" that should not have been on the road.
Gresham's children Willow, two, Angel, four, Thor, six, and eight-year-old Keavy died as a result of the crash.
During the trial the court was told Gresham, formerly of Chapel Hill, Lincolnshire, was driving too fast and his vehicle was not roadworthy.During the trial the court was told Gresham, formerly of Chapel Hill, Lincolnshire, was driving too fast and his vehicle was not roadworthy.
Bracket 'snapped' I find it hard to understand how you could place the lives of your partner and seven children in grave danger Judge Michael Heath
The Land Rover had many "ill-judged" modifications designed to improve its off-road performance, the court heard.The Land Rover had many "ill-judged" modifications designed to improve its off-road performance, the court heard.
Judge Michael Heath told Gresham at the sentencing that the accident was "horrendous" and his Land Rover "should not have been on the road".
"It was, to coin a phrase, an accident waiting to happen.
"The vehicle was in appalling condition, its many and various defects were plain from the expert evidence given at trial."
The judge said collision investigators had never seen such a badly-maintained vehicle before.
The four children died after the 4x4 crashed into the River WithamThe judge added: "Not only would it have been blindingly obvious that driving the Land Rover in that condition would be dangerous, but you also drove it in a dangerous manner. You were driving that Land Rover too fast for that road.
"I find it hard to understand how you could place the lives of your partner and seven children in grave danger by allowing them to travel in such a vehicle."
Gresham was driving along Witham Bank at between 50mph and 60mph when he met a white Transit van towing a trailer of canoes coming in the opposite direction.Gresham was driving along Witham Bank at between 50mph and 60mph when he met a white Transit van towing a trailer of canoes coming in the opposite direction.
He pulled the Land Rover over to the near side but as it mounted the grass verge a bracket close to the rear axle snapped, causing it to turn on its side then flip over and roll down the bank.He pulled the Land Rover over to the near side but as it mounted the grass verge a bracket close to the rear axle snapped, causing it to turn on its side then flip over and roll down the bank.
Members of the public rushed to the aid of the family, but four of Gresham's seven children did not survive.Members of the public rushed to the aid of the family, but four of Gresham's seven children did not survive.
Gresham, who had denied the charges, told the jury he "did everything he could" and claimed he was in a "no-win situation".Gresham, who had denied the charges, told the jury he "did everything he could" and claimed he was in a "no-win situation".