The father of a girl who died nine years after a millionaire’s son crashed into their car, leaving her paralysed and brain damaged, has called for him to be charged over her death.
Cerys Edwards was one year old when Antonio Boparan, heir to a £130 million fortune, ploughed his Range Rover Sport into the family’s Jeep while overtaking at 70mph in a 30mph zone in November 2006.
Cerys was thrown from her baby seat and broke her spine in the crash leaving her paralysed, unable to speak and needing round-the-clock care.
Had she died in the crash, Boparan would have faced up to 14 years in jail for causing death by dangerous driving. Instead, he was found guilty of dangerous driving in April 2008 and was released just six months into his 21-month sentence.
Cerys’ grieving father, Gareth Edwards, has now called for Boparan to “serve a proper sentence,” after his daughter died on Saturday, a month before her tenth birthday, from complications from an infection.
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Mr Edwards, 50, a builder from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, said: “He only served six months and Cerys has lost her life.
“She was left on a ventilator after the crash, she caught a virus and that has killed her. She wouldn’t have been in that position if it wasn’t for the crash.
“He is scum. I will leave it to the police but I would like to see him face new charges. In my mind, that would be only right and proper.”
Boparan, whose family business – one of the largest food companies in the UK – owns the Fox biscuit and Goodfellas pizza brands, served a second jail term earlier this year, for his part in a bar brawl that left one victim blind. He has recently been released, after serving part of a 12-month sentence.
Mr Edwards also paid tribute to the “very happy little girl” whom he said kept smiling, despite years of major operations and life on a ventilator.
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“Given her injuries, she never complained and was a joy to be with. She was a very happy child who loved life.
“She was a very happy little girl whose cheeky smile would melt the heart of anyone present.
“She loved listening to music and watching DVDs. She enjoyed going shopping, visiting the cinema and family holidays in Wales.
“She loved people singing and reading to her. She enjoyed school and made lots of friends who will all miss her.”
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said that before reviewing the case, it must await a further file of evidence from police in order to consider the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
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Superintendent Paul Keasey from West Midlands Police said: “The case may be reviewed if a post mortem is carried out and is able to establish a causal link between the collision and Cerys’s death.”
Antonio Boparan was “deeply remorseful” for causing the crash nine years ago, his family said yesterday.
In a statement, they added: “Antonio remains deeply remorseful of his actions as a teenager nine years ago and their tragic consequences.
“No words can appropriately convey the extent of his sorrow and regret at hearing this terrible news today.
“He sends his heartfelt condolences to Cerys’s family at this extremely difficult time.”