This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7888653.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Driver guilty of M6 family deaths | Driver guilty of M6 family deaths |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A Portuguese lorry driver has been jailed for causing the deaths of a family of six by careless driving. | A Portuguese lorry driver has been jailed for causing the deaths of a family of six by careless driving. |
| David and Michelle Statham and their four children, from Llandudno, north Wales, died when a lorry hit their car as they travelled home from Birmingham. | David and Michelle Statham and their four children, from Llandudno, north Wales, died when a lorry hit their car as they travelled home from Birmingham. |
| Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, had denied causing the deaths by dangerous driving or by careless driving on the M6 in Cheshire last October. | Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, had denied causing the deaths by dangerous driving or by careless driving on the M6 in Cheshire last October. |
| He was jailed for three years by a judge at Chester Crown Court. | He was jailed for three years by a judge at Chester Crown Court. |
| Da Silva was convicted of six counts of causing death by careless driving by a majority verdict of 11-1. He was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. | Da Silva was convicted of six counts of causing death by careless driving by a majority verdict of 11-1. He was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. |
| The Statham family were killed when their car burst into flames Grief for 'model' family Pictures of the Stathams | The Statham family were killed when their car burst into flames Grief for 'model' family Pictures of the Stathams |
| Thirty-eight-year-old chef Mr Statham and Michelle, 33, who were originally from Sutton Coldfield, made the journey to the Midlands partly to introduce their 10-week-old baby, Ellouise, to family and friends. | |
| They were also travelling with sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, and Mason, 20 months as they headed home from visiting Mrs Statham's parents. | They were also travelling with sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, and Mason, 20 months as they headed home from visiting Mrs Statham's parents. |
| However, the family died when their silver people carrier burst into flames after it was involved in a five-vehicle pile-up between junctions 16 and 17 on the M6. | However, the family died when their silver people carrier burst into flames after it was involved in a five-vehicle pile-up between junctions 16 and 17 on the M6. |
| Mr Justice Irwin told the court: "This case arose from a terrible tragedy. | Mr Justice Irwin told the court: "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." | "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." |
| Sentencing da Silva, the judge said: "I bear in mind the maximum sentence is five years. | Sentencing da Silva, the judge said: "I bear in mind the maximum sentence is five years. |
| "Although six deaths, this was one episode and the prison sentences must be concurrent. | "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." | "This was one of the most serious offences of its kind." |
| Da Silva was told he would serve at least 18 months of his sentence in jail. | Da Silva was told he would serve at least 18 months of his sentence in jail. |
| Laptop found | |
| Outside court, Cheshire chief crown prosecutor Ian Rushton said: "The prosecution had to prove that not only did Mr da Silva's driving fall below the required standard, but as a direct result he killed the whole family in their car on the M6." | Outside court, Cheshire chief crown prosecutor Ian Rushton said: "The prosecution had to prove that not only did Mr da Silva's driving fall below the required standard, but as a direct result he killed the whole family in their car on the M6." |
| He said police evidence showed the Stathams' car was crushed between a large lorry, which had been queuing in a long tailback due to an earlier accident, and da Silva's truck. | He said police evidence showed the Stathams' car was crushed between a large lorry, which had been queuing in a long tailback due to an earlier accident, and da Silva's truck. |
| CPS statement on M6 verdict | |
| Mr Rushton said Da Silva admitted in court he had seen the electronic signs warning the M6 was closed and said he reduced his speed "but could not explain how the collision happened". | Mr Rushton said Da Silva admitted in court he had seen the electronic signs warning the M6 was closed and said he reduced his speed "but could not explain how the collision happened". |
| Mr Rushton added: "The prosecution said that it was clear that for a period of around a minute, Paulo da Silva was not paying proper attention to the road and fatally hit the Stathams' van with his 40-tonne lorry." | Mr Rushton added: "The prosecution said that it was clear that for a period of around a minute, Paulo da Silva was not paying proper attention to the road and fatally hit the Stathams' van with his 40-tonne lorry." |
| Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, had told the jury it was alleged Da Silva was using a global positioning system on his laptop computer to work out an alternative route. | Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, had told the jury it was alleged Da Silva was using a global positioning system on his laptop computer to work out an alternative route. |
| He said Da Silva had denied using the laptop while driving, but police found it was by the driver's seat with the screen turned to face the driver. | He said Da Silva had denied using the laptop while driving, but police found it was by the driver's seat with the screen turned to face the driver. |