A 9 year old girl has finally passed on after enduring years of torture from a car accident suffered when she was only 11 months old caused by the son of a billionaire who only paid a 6months jail sentence.
Cerys and Dad
A tragic and painful story of a baby who finally lost her life after a billionaire's speeding Range Rover left her paralyzed and brain-damaged is causing a lot of heartbreak in the UK.
Cerys Edwards was left with devastating injuries nine years ago when billionaire son, Antonio Boparan's £57,000 Range Rover rammed into her parent's Jeep in November 2006, leaving her permanently dependent on a ventilator and requiring round-the-clock care. The little girl who had just celebrated her first birthday before the incident was dealt the blow of a lifetime.
Cerys before the accident
The child, then 11-months-old, was left unable to talk and walk and needs a ventilator to keep her alive - while Singh served just half a year in jail.
The accident left her paralysed, unable to speak and had to endure dozens of major operations. Cerys, who would have been 10-years-old next month, died on Saturday evening at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Her dad Gareth who was devastated by the incident paid tribute to the bravery of his nine-year-old daughter, saying: "Given her injuries, she never complained and was a joy to be with. She was a very happy child who loved life.
"She loved people singing and reading to her. She enjoyed school and made lots of friends who will all miss her.”
Cerys left paralyzed and brain-damaged
Wrecked car
Gareth who spoke earlier this year about the impact the crash had had, said he had dreamt of seeing his daughter go to school, get a job, walk down the aisle one day and have her own children, just like any parent would.
But said: "I know that none of those things will ever happen for Cerys.
“We were told that she would not survive the journey to the hospital after the crash, but she did and she defied the odds. The strength she has shown is incredible.”
The Billionaire's son who killed Cerys was found guilty of dangerous driving and spend just six months of a 21-month sentence. He could have faced up to 14-years in prison if Cerys had died in 2006.
Boparan was driving at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone and was on the wrong side of Streetly Lane in Sutton Coldfield in a powerful Range Rover Sport when the crash happened.
Antonio Boparan, served just six months in jail after causing the accident
The Edwards family had been returning home from delivering Christmas presents with Cerys.
The outrage about Boparan’s sentence sparked a campaign for tougher sentences, which led to a landmark change in the law. As a result, anyone now convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving faces up to five years in prison instead of the previous maximum of two for dangerous driving.
Cerys was awarded £5million compensation in 2012, along with a guaranteed annual payout of £450,000 to help pay for her annual care bill.
The Range Rover Boparan was driving in 2006 was owned by his wealthy parents, Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan, who run the 2 Sisters Food Group.
The family went on to set up the Boparan Charitable Trust in 2009, which is fronted by Antonio Boparan and his mother.
Cerys did not received any funds from the Trust, but other disadvantaged, disabled and terminally ill children have received support across the UK.
This year, Boparan, now 28, was jailed again for fighting in a bar which left one man blind. He was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assault in the VIP room of Nuvo Bar in Birmingham last April.