Matthew Topham, the 31-year-old EuroMillions winner who claimed a £45 million jackpot in 2012, has been handed a suspended sentence for causing a fatal crash on Christmas Day 2019. The collision in North Cockerington, Lincolnshire, claimed the life of 75-year-old Mary Jane Regler and left her husband Rodney, 77, seriously injured.
At Lincoln Crown Court, a jury cleared Topham of causing death by dangerous driving, but he had earlier admitted a lesser charge of careless driving. Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight sentenced him to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, stating he made an “avoidable decision” when he took his eyes off the road to find his young son’s teddy bear.
The court heard Topham, who was returning from visiting his wife’s family, was distracted by a “piercing scream” from his son and instinctively looked away. He told the court, “I honestly don't believe I thought about what I was about to do.” Prosecutors argued he should have pulled over safely instead of continuing to drive.
In a victim statement, Mr Regler paid tribute to his “beloved” wife, saying, “My life has changed forever. I bear the driver no malice, but I will never forgive him for what he has done to me and my family.” Topham was also banned from driving for 12 months and made subject to a curfew.
Detective Inspector Joanna Reeves of Lincolnshire Police said the right course of action would have been for Topham to find a safe place to pull over. “He didn't do that, and he now lives with the consequences,” she added.
