Family death crash father jailed

Nigel Gresham denied causing the deaths by dangerous driving

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.

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.

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'

The Land Rover had many "ill-judged" modifications designed to improve its off-road performance, the court heard.

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.

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".