05.04.2006

Crane driver jailed

The driver of a truck with loader crane was jailed for 20 months yesterday following the death of a six year old girl in 2004.

Malcolm Lane, 45, of Worth, Sussex, was jailed at Guildford crown court yesterday after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on September 29, 2004.

Mechanic Stuart MacMillan, 25, was cleared of aiding and abetting last month.

Lane had just delivered a load to a builders merchants when either the cranes boom or an outrigger, came loose and swung out hitting a mother and four five and six year olds on the pavement. The boom or ourtigger retaining brackets were broken, so Lane had used a length of rope to secure it.

Six year old Freya Aldred, from Horley, was being pushed along on her mothers bicycle when she was knocked unconscious by the full force of the boom. She died in hospital two weeks later. Her five year old brother Dominic suffered a fractured skull, broken leg and pelvis and facial injuries.

Their mother Katharine Aldred was flung to the ground during the accident and two other schoolboys narrowly avoided being injured.

The crane was known to be in a dangerous condition before it left its depot and should never have been allowed on the road, Guildford Crown Court was told.

Lane admitted he knew that the equipment was dangerous when he took the vehicle from Entwhistle's depot in Purfleet, Essex. The loader crane and truck reportedly had other problems with it.

John Judge Bull QC in sentencing said: "For a mother to suffer the tragedy of the very avoidable death of her six-year-old daughter in these circumstances is something which will remain with her on a daily basis for the rest of her life.

Lane was also disqualified from driving for two years after which he must take an extended driving test.