2 Sisters director in court over crash that killed girl nine years later
A millionaire’s son has appeared in court over the death of a girl nine years after a crash that left her severely disabled.
Antonio Boparan, a director of the 2 Sisters Food Group, is charged with causing the death of Cerys Edwards, nine, by dangerous driving.
She was left paralysed and brain damaged after a crash in 2006, when she was 11 months old.
A post mortem found her death just weeks before her 10th birthday in October 2015 was “a result of the collision”.
Boparan, whose family firm has plants in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, was allegedly behind the wheel of a Range Rover that hit a vehicle in which Cerys was a passenger.
The accident happened in Streetly Lane, Sutton Coldfield, when Boparan was aged 19. He is now 31.
Cerys was left brain damaged, paralysed and unable to breathe without a ventilator.
In 2012, Birmingham High Court approved the award of £5 million to the youngster and an annual payment of £450,000 to provide rest-of-life care.
Speaking after her death, Cerys' father Gareth Edwards said his daughter could "melt the heart of anyone" and "never complained" despite her injuries.
Boparan, of Roman Lane in Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court today.
He was charged by postal requisition in December last year after a criminal case review was launched following the post-mortem results.
He appeared in the dock with short hair and stubble, wearing a navy suit, white shirt and waistcoat and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
Chair of the bench Christopher Beesley told Boparan, represented by Jim Sturman QC, to take his hands out of his pockets before the brief hearing began.
Mr Beesley granted Boparan unconditional bail ahead of an appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on February 7.
