Georgia Varley train death: Train guard loses appeal

McGee took a "terrible risk" said Mr Justice Holroyde on sentencing him

A railway guard jailed for five years for causing the death of a teenage girl in Liverpool has lost his appeal to have his sentence reduced.

Georgia Varley died when she fell between the carriage and platform at James Street station in October 2011.

Christopher McGee, 46, of Wallasey, Wirral, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence at Liverpool Crown Court.

The Court of Appeal in London refused his bid to have his sentenced reduced.

'Appalling disregard'

CCTV shown to the jury during McGee's trial showed Georgia, who was drunk, mistakenly getting off the train just before 23:30 BST following a night out.

The sixth-form student from Moreton, Wirral, then turned around and leaned against the side of the train as she realised her friends were still on board.

McGee signalled for the driver to depart.

Georgia was then seen to stagger and fall down the gap as the train moved off, before stopping after travelling about 30ft (9m).

On sentencing him, Mr Justice Holroyde said McGee had taken a "terrible risk" with Georgia's safety.

Mr Justice Holroyde told McGee last November: "You did not intend to kill or even injure her, but you displayed an appalling disregard for her safety and she paid for your criminal negligence with her life."

McGee, who had been a train guard for Merseyrail since 1992, denied the charge of manslaughter by gross negligence but the jury unanimously found him guilty.

Having had his challenge refused, he could now refer his application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for consideration.