A speeding driver who was under the influence of cocaine when he caused the death of a 10-year-old girl in Dartford has been jailed for 12 years.

Gavin Prodger, 50, had taken the class A drug before getting behind the wheel of his Audi in July 2021.

Prodger has defective eyesight and was taking a photo on his mobile phone moments before the crash – which police said left his ability to drive “seriously impaired”.

He was also driving at 47mph in a 30mph zone when he collided with Lily Lockwood in Watling Street as she crossed the road to join her friends in the nearby park.

Lily died later in hospital.

CCTV footage showed she had taken care to check the roads were clear before crossing.

At the scene, Prodger did badly in a police impairment test and was arrested by officers.

An investigation into the crash found Prodger of Rochester, in Kent, had been speeding and driving under the influence of a combination of drugs.

The police also found evidence of Prodger using his phone before hitting Lily.

He was charged and later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit for cocaine and benzoylecgonine, and to possession of cocaine.

Prodger will have to serve a minimum of eight years in prison before he can apply for parole.

He will have an additional two years to serve on licence once he is released.

Prodger has also been disqualified from driving until 2040 and his Audi has been seized.

Read more from Sky News:
Man jailed after crashing into mum – who saved baby
Van driver smoked crack and killed boy, 9, in hit-and-run

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Detective Constable Lee Berridge said: “Prodger’s decision to drive that day cost a young child her life and left a family in mourning for the loss of their little girl.”

DC Berridge added: “He posed a significant risk to other motorists and pedestrians, and was unable to respond in good time to avoid a tragic collision.

“His sentence should serve as a lesson to others who disregard the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Their selfish actions can have appalling consequences.

“I can only hope that the conclusion of this trial allows Lily’s family some closure, knowing that the person responsible for her death is now serving a prison sentence.”

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