A FATHER has been found guilty of murdering his five-year-old daughter and attempting to kill his son by driving into a freezing Worcestershire river.

Chris Grady will be given a life sentence after a jury decided he intended to kill children Gabby and Ryan by driving into the river Avon in Evesham on February 11 last year.

Gabby, who was trapped in the submerged vehicle for two hours, died in hospital three days later.

Ryan, now seven, was rescued by police officers who dived in to save him.

A jury of seven women and five men took five hours to reach a majority verdict of 11 to one on both charges.

The children’s mother Kim Smith put her head in her hands but remained silent as the verdicts were delivered. Grady, aged 42, tilted his head down but gave little reaction.

Judge Mr Justice Lindblom will sentence Grady on Tuesday after requesting reports on how Ryan has been affected by the tragedy. He will set a minimum term, expected to be about 30 years.

The three-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard how Grady threatened to kill the children and wrote a number of suicide notes which were found in the car.

Outside the court, Miss Smith, aged 37, said: “First and foremost, I would like to say thank you to everybody who has helped with achieving this conviction and justice for my beautiful daughter Gabby and, of course Ryan.

“Although Grady is facing a jail term, this does not take away the fact that myself and my family were robbed of our Gabby.

“We are still living with the loss and devastation caused by his actions on that day.

"What must also not be forgotten is what my son Ryan also went through on that day.

“Not only the trauma of the events but that he also lost his sister who was also his best friend.”

When asked about the moment when Grady told her she had 10 seconds to say goodbye to her children, she said: “It was horrifying. Worst experience ever. I was absolutely shook to the core.

“Who expects someone’s father to drive his children into a river? It’s implausible but he did – fact.

“Maybe now after today’s verdicts we have the chance to move forward knowing that Grady is paying for what he has done.”

Miss Smith praised West Mercia Police officers for their investigation and said they were “amazing”.

Supt Steve Cullen, senior investigating officer, said: “Something like this stays with you forever. It was an absolute tragedy and that scene on the morning with the bleak river bank and clearly people still in shock will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“More than 40 officers worked tirelessly on this case to ensure Gabby and Ryan got the justice they deserved.

“I would like to mention Inspector Sean Kent and Sergeant Phil Stayte, who both went into the water and helped pull Ryan to safety, but not forgetting everyone, from all emergency services, that I know did their utmost to save Gabby also.”

In a written statement, Grady’s mum Valerie Hubbard, said: “I consider the trial of my son has been a fair one and I would like to publicly thank the judge, the lawyers and the jury. There are no winners.

"We are all losers, as our darling Gabby is no longer with us.”

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