Drink-drive mum killed daughter in Blandford crash

Alanda Pike's blood alcohol level was three-and-a-half times the legal limit

A mother has been jailed for more than six years for causing the death of her three-year-old daughter while driving over the alcohol and drug limit.

Alanda Pike, 34, left Louisa fatally injured when she hit a van on the A354 near Blandford, Dorset, on 24 August.

Louisa suffered head injuries and was airlifted to hospital but died the next day, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Pike had earlier admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

The defendant, of Blackmore Road, Shaftesbury, had drunk half a 200ml bottle of vodka she bought on the day of the crash, the court was told.

She had also been drinking and taken cocaine with her partner the previous evening, knowing she would be driving her daughter the following day.

Prosecutors said Pike's alcohol level was more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit at the time of the crash - she had 171mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

Her blood sample taken in hospital also contained a "breakdown product of cocaine".

Pike pulled onto the A354 into the path of an oncoming van

The crash happened shortly after Pike collected Louisa from her ex-husband's house in Blandford.

Louisa was partially strapped in to a child seat in the rear of the car when it pulled out in front of the van at Thickthorn Cross, at about 07:40 BST.

Pike and Louisa suffered head injuries while the van driver, a 44-year-old woman from Salisbury, suffered serious injuries to her hand and arm.

'Ray of sunshine'

The court was told Pike previously received a suspended sentence for drink driving in January 2014. She also received a visit from police over the dangers of drink driving in 2016.

In a victim impact statement, Louisa's father Sam Pike described her as a "precious ray of sunshine".

"I can't begin to comprehend life without her," he added.

Defence counsel said Pike was "devastated by the loss of her daughter" and had sought help for her alcohol and drug abuse.

Jailing her for six years and four months the judge, Peter Johnson, said: "This was entirely your fault through your grossly impaired state.

"Your actions caused the death of a bright bubbly child who was adored by many."

After the hearing Sgt Phil Lee, of Dorset Police, said: "Yet again we are here dealing with the tragic aftermath of a wholly unnecessary and completely avoidable event that has had devastating effects on all those involved.