Devastated mum in tear-jerking tribute to three-year-old Poppy-Arabella Clarke as ‘remorseless’ pensioner caged for ‘stealing her life’
John Place, 72, had been told weeks before killing Poppy Arabella-Clarke his vision was too poor for him to drive safely
THE devastated mum of a three-year-old girl killed by a pensioner who had been told he wasn't fit to drive said he "violently stole my daughter's life from her".
John Place, 72, admitted causing death by dangerous driving after he ran a red light and ploughed into Poppy-Arabella Clarke and her mum Rachel at a pelican crossing.
At his sentencing on Monday, Place was jailed for four years after the court heard he had been told just weeks before that his vision was not good enough for him to drive - even with glasses.
When he hit Poppy, he was not wearing glasses and told officers he had not even seen the red light or the crossing itself.
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement at court, Poppy's mum Rachel read a quote from one of the little girl's favourite books, the Velveteen Rabbit.
She said: "'Real isn't how you are made, said the Skin Horse, it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but really loves you, then you become real'.
"I once had a daughter, a little best friend. She made me real.
"The actions of Mr John Arthur Place violently stole my daughter's life.
"We had a truly magical connection.
"I have watched my little girl's lips drain of colour as life left and death entered.
"I kissed my little girl's hands and face.
"We had to choose a casket which she will lie in forever with her toy rabbit.
"Our home is no longer happy, and singing can no longer be heard by neighbours through our windows.
"My little girl has fallen asleep forever.
"My husband and I have been utterly devastated by the death of our daughter.
MOST READ IN NEWS
"She is beautiful, kind, courageous and she will always be remembered. She will always be remembered.
"There once was a girl who was Poppy-Arabella Clarke.
";She lived. She died. All because of Mr John Arthur Place."
Poppy's mum Rachel was also seriously injured after Place ploughed into the pair, and she said the car only stopped after another driver pulled in front of it.
In a statement released after the hearing, Poppy's family said: "Despite understanding everything that was said to him, it was clear to the optometrist he was ‘stubborn and would continue to drive’.
"As a result of Mr Place’s selfish behaviour, a beautiful day became a scene of devastation.
"While Mr Place was today given a four year custodial jail sentence we have been left with a life sentence without our little girl whose entire life was stolen from her in a fraction of a second."
Richard Langton, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Slater and Gordon who represents the family, said: “No sentence would bring Poppy-Arabella back but we are pleased that the court has reflected the severity of the crime in jailing Mr Place.
"He chose to recklessly get behind the wheel of his car and in doing so cut short the life of an innocent little girl and devastated the lives of her parents."
He said a "lasting legacy" would be Poppy-Arabella’s law, which would require any medical professional aware of a person’s inability to drive safely to report them to the DVLA so their license is withdrawn.
Langton added: "This obvious safeguard could ensure a tragedy like this never happens again."
Poppy-Arabella's heartbroken parents previously slammed Place for "not showing any remorse" after he hit the pair as they crossed busy Chester Road in Erdington, Birmingham, on July 6 last year.
They said they are now unable to have any more children, which made them "thankful for every second we had with her".
Place, of Sutton Coldfield, pleaded guilty to death and serious injury by dangerous driving as Poppy-Arabella's family watched at Birmingham Crown Court on March 3.
But the judge adjourned sentencing for medical reports to be prepared.
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This is an absolutely tragic case and Poppy-Arabella’s parents continue to suffer enormously from their loss. Our thoughts remain with them.
"Place should not have been driving that day as quite simply his vision was severely impaired.
"The consequences of his decision to get behind the wheel despite this have been catastrophic.
"I hope that this case sends out a message to all drivers that you have a personal responsibility to heed medical advice and to ensure you are fit to get behind the wheel."
Place was also disqualified from driving for five years from the date of his release from prison.
Speaking after the previous hearing, Poppy's parents said Place had not shown a "shred of remorse" for killing their little girl.
In a statement, they said: "He has not asked after us or seemed to care about the death of our beautiful little girl or the serious injuries he caused to her mother.
"Worse, he has shown complete disregard for us, getting his wife to drive him past the crash site at least up to five times a week.
"This has forced us to see him while dealing with the unbearable pain of losing our daughter."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368