Hit and run driver killed girl, 5

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A hit-and-run driver has admitted killing a five-year-old girl as she walked home two weeks before Christmas.

Charlotte Adams and her mother Jean were hit by Emmanuelle Amoah as he lost control of a car in Lower Clapton, east London, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Mrs Adams was thrown clear but was seriously injured. Charlotte was dragged beneath the car for 25 yards.

Amoah, 20, who has also admitted an armed robbery spree, admitted causing death by dangerous driving last year.

Unqualified driver

The court heard Amoah did not have a driving licence when he took a friend's un-roadworthy BMW for a ride on 15 December 2005.

But he appeared to lose control, hitting a kerb, veering left and smashing through a brick wall before careering down the grass bank where Charlotte and her family were walking home after a party.

Mrs Adams, 40, was hurled clear but Charlotte was dragged beneath the car. The court heard she might have survived, but Amoah kept revving the engine in an attempt to free the car from a muddy grass verge.

Charlotte died, her mother was seriously injured

As the wheels turned, the car sank, pushing Charlotte into the mud. Amoah ran off, leaving Charlotte's father Martyn to try to free her.

Others went to help Mrs Adams, who suffered a broken collarbone, shoulder and pelvis and 11 shattered ribs. She still uses a wheelchair to get around.

The court heard Amoah showed "no remorse whatsoever", ignoring later pleas to give himself up.

Instead he held up a string of sub post offices and greengrocers with a large kitchen knife.

Amoah, of Charterhouse Road, Hackney, east London, admitted five robbery charges at an earlier hearing.

This has totally ruined our lives Charlotte's father Martyn

Remanding him in custody for sentencing, Judge Andrew Goymer told him: "You must understand these are very serious offences and the only outcome of this case is a substantial sentence of custody.

"The question I have to decide is how long."

Outside court Mr Adams said the maximum 14-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving was not enough.

"This has totally ruined our lives. We don't live any more, we survive," he said.

Outside court Det Sgt Jeff Redpath said: "One couldn't imagine a more tragic set of circumstances for a family to face.

"Two weeks before Christmas, their five-year-old daughter was taken from them before their very eyes."