THE parents of Liberty Baker said they were “devastated” the man whose dangerous driving killed their daughter was only jailed for four years.

The 14-year-old’s father Paul Baker yesterday described how his family’s lives had been “shattered” by the actions of 19-year-old Robert Blackwell.

Liberty, a pupil at The Henry Box School, died on June 30 last year when Blackwell’s blue Citroen C2 mounted the pavement in Curbridge Road, Witney, and struck her as she walked to school.

Liberty’s friends also paid tribute to the teenager, saying they want her to be remembered for her wonderful personality, not the manner of her death.

Yesterday at Oxford Crown Court, Blackwell was jailed and banned from driving for five years.

Prosecutor Ian Hope said the car also hit two other girls and council worker Paul Cracknell, who broke every bone in his right leg and foot.

After the hearing Mr Baker, of Thorney Leys, Witney, said: “We are devastated at the sentence that has been handed down today.

“This man’s actions cost my daughter her life, and we will have to live with our loss every single day, while he is only likely to spend a few years in prison.

“We will never recover from the cruel and heartbreaking way our beautiful daughter was taken from us. Our lives will never be the same again. Liberty was such a kind and caring girl and her glowing smile lit up our lives.”

Speaking in court, Mr Hope described the crash in detail and said Blackwell completely failed to turn when he came to a left-hand bend, despite having 13 seconds to do so.

He told Judge Ian Pringle the teenager did not brake until after he had hit the group. Police investigators estimated when he tried to stop the car he was still travelling at 44mph, well above the 30mph speed limit.

Mr Hope said a text message had just been received on Blackwell’s iPhone, but the teenager has always denied checking his mobile before the crash.

The barrister said: “The most obvious reason for the gross lack of attention to the road, and it was a road he knew well, was that he was in some way messing about with his phone.”

Mr Hope also mentioned that Blackwell admitted taking cannabis about 24 hours before the incident, but said there was no evidence this had played a role.

Passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle expressed his disbelief that the young defendant could offer no real explanation for how the crash occurred.

He told him: “Despite the fact that you had some 13 seconds in which you would have had a view of the bend, you failed to react. You went straight on.

“You were travelling at 50 per cent above the speed limit. That, in my view, is grossly excessive.

“Whatever it was that distracted you, you clearly were distracted over a prolonged period of time.”

He added: “Nothing I can say or do can ever lessen the everlasting pain and grief of those who have to live with the loss of Liberty.”

Judge Pringle sentenced Blackwell after the 19-year-old admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client had been in a queue of traffic prior to the incident, which had only lasted “a matter of seconds”.

She said: “He told the police after the crash, he told those who were sitting with him afterwards, ‘I just lost control’. That is all that he can say.”

Investigating officer, Pc Sandra Terry of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic case for all involved, especially the family and loved ones of Liberty Baker.

“This case highlights the importance of driving safely and maintaining concentration at all times.”