'Foolish' father admits manslaughter of girl, 7; The World Today COURT: Man gets suspended prison sentence for death of daughter in quadbike crash.

Byline: By Staff Reporter

The "grossly negligent" father of a seven-year-old girl, who died after the quadbike she was riding crashed with a Range Rover, admitted manslaughter and was given a suspended prison sentence.

Judge Christopher Ball QC yesterday said farmer Gary Cooke, 46, of Blackmore, Essex, was "stupid" and a "fool" and said his decision to allow his daughter Elizabeth to ride a "powerful vehicle" on a public road at night was "folly of the highest order".

The judge imposed a ninemonth prison term on Cooke - but suspended it for two years.

He also banned Cooke from riding quadbikes on public roads for two years, following a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The court heard Elizabeth and her brother Jack, 10, had been given 100CC quadbikes for Christmas and were riding behind their father's Range Rover on a dark country lane on Boxing Day.

A second Range Rover was involved in a head-on collision with Elizabeth's red machine.

She was thrown across the bonnet and left unconscious on the side of the road and died in hospital later.

"I don't suppose I am alone in remembering the shock of hearing the news on the radio when this happened," the judge told Cooke.

"I don't suppose I was alone in immediately saying 'What sort of fool would have allowed his child out in such circumstances?'.

"It was a moment of great folly and the consequences will remain with you forever."

Cooke left court amid unruly scenes. He was bundled into a car by a large group of associates - one of whom attacked cameramen.