Family of schoolgirl killed by drink-driver in Shrewsbury say they will 'never forgive and never forget'

Olivia-Violet Reeves loved conservation and was keen to go on to study more about animals as she grew up.

But as the St George’s Junior School pupil walked along Mytton Oak Road to catch her bus home she was hit by a Range Rover, driven by Roger Goodall, which crossed onto the opposite side of the road before mounting the pavement and knocking down a garden wall, a telegraph pole and a lamp post.

She was struck on June 15 and, despite the efforts of passers-by and medical staff, died of her injuries in her mother's arms.

She was first rushed to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she died.

Goodall, of The Mount, Shrewsbury, was handed a four-and-a-half year prison sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Olivia-Violet, of Worthen, by dangerous driving.

The 77-year-old, who had previously admitted driving above the alcohol limit, was also banned from driving for five years starting from his release date.

Following the hearing, Olivia-Violet's family issued a statement which said a four-and-a-half year prison sentence was not long enough.

It said: "It will never be long enough for a child's life.

"She was on the footpath doing nothing wrong, in clear daylight.

"The decisions he chose to make on the day he killed Olivia are astounding to her family and all those involved.

"His constant lack of remorse has haunted the family and the investigating police involved.

"Regardless of any sentence passed today the family remain serving a life sentence.

"There are no words to say other than we will never forgive and we will never forget."

During the court hearing, statements from Olivia-Violet's family members were also read out by prosecutor Mr Hugh O'Brien Quinn.

In a statement, her grandmother Josephine Reeves said: "My life which was so happy is now empty without my little sunshine.

"I loved my wonderful granddaughter from the moment she was born. She was my life.

"When that man killed her, he killed me too. He killed the whole family."

In a statement from Olivia-Violet's mother Jo Reeves she described her daughter as her "beautiful, perfect baby girl".

She said she was "vibrant", funny" and was "unique with a wisdom and compassion beyond her years".

She said at the age of six Olivia-Violet, who was planning to study marine biology, had discovered Charles Darwin and had a hunger for knowledge.

Jo said they enjoyed reading together and had been working their way through the Harry Potter books.

In the statement, she added: "Since Olivia was taken from me I am empty inside wanting to end it. My joy has been stolen.

"She died in my arms with her family around her."

A much-loved girl, a mountain of flowers, candles and cards were left at the site of the crash in memory of the year six pupil.

Olivia-Violet had previously raised money for the needy both at home and abroad.

When she was just five she donated her shoes to a girl in Africa and offered her sweet money to provide children with water on the African continent.

She also asked her fellow classmates, when she was in year one at Coleham Primary, to donate their unwanted cuddly toys for the dogs at Rodens Dogs Trust. Last year Olivia single-handedly arranged a 24-hour sponsored silence to raise money for the David Seldrick Wildlife Trust to help save the elephants.

The Reeves family had just moved to the village of Worthen where Olivia-Violet loved the country way of life.