A young mother sobbed as she was jailed for four years today for killing a six-month-old baby in a drunken car crash - and said: "The guilt will stay forever."
Lucy Dyer, 23, smashed into the family car carrying little Eva Maria Nichifor described as "perfect baby girl" by her mother and father after the tragedy.
Little Eva died after drunken Dyer crashed her a blue 3 series BMW as she in a baby seat in her parents blue Vauxhall Vectra at crossroads.
Dyer, who has her own four-year-old autistic son, was sentenced just five weeks after the tragedy - and has been in custody ever since for her own protection.
After the tragedy, the words "Rot in Hell you Scum" were daubed on her front door along with dog excrement. She also had threats on social media.
She told the court the "guilt will stay forever" and that she would "never intentionally harm any child."
Dyer said: "I would like to say how truly sorry I am to the family in their tragic loss. I am truly heartbroken and devastated. The guilt will stay forever. If I had the power to turn the clock back I would. I can't imagine all the pain that the family are going through.
"I am a caring person and I will never be able to forget this tragedy, as I know the family will also. I am truly very sorry, and I hope that one day through all of the pain, the family will be able to forgive me....may she rest in peace."
Mother-of-one Dyer, of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, admitted drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving at crossroads in the town.
Swansea Crown Court heard Dyer and a relative had been marking the anniversary of her father's death by drinking in the Carwyn James pub in the town before heading home at 9pm.
As she left the pub she downed a drink when being told by door staff she couldn't leave with the glass she was holding.
Prosecutor Carina Hughes said: "She had been drinking where she was described as 'merry' and 'boisterous'.
"Witnesses say she was driving at speed. The junction had clear markings and road markings. She was observed entering Heol Goffa without even braking or giving way and she collided with the Vauxhall Vectra, causing it to rotate.
"The BMW continued in motion and mounted the pavement, before rolling backwards and hitting a lamppost causing it to bend.
"The impact caused the child's mother to exit the car holding her baby screaming of help".
Dyer told police: '"I have killed someone. I have killed her. I have killed a kid haven't I? I am never going to see my kid again.
"The baby is going to die isn't she? Oh my *** god'.
She added: "I have ruined my life".
She told the court the "guilt will stay forever" and that she would "never intentionally harm any child."
Dyer said: "I would like to say how truly sorry I am to the family in their tragic loss. I am truly heartbroken and devastated. The guilt will stay forever. If I had the power to turn the clock back I would. I can't imagine all the pain that the family are going through.
"I am a caring person and I will never be able to forget this tragedy, as I know the family will also. I am truly very sorry, and I hope that one day through all of the pain, the family will be able to forgive me....may she rest in peace."
Eva Maria's parents Florin and Carmen, who had been living in Llanelli, have now returned to Romania.
A victim impact statement was read on behalf of Eva's mother Carmen. It said: "We came to this country to ensure a better life for my family and it ended up tearing it apart.
"In the house where we live we can't see it without thinking of little Eva. Everywhere we look there are memories of her. The house is empty without her. We want justice for our baby because she was taken away too soon".
Mitigating, Kate Williams said: "She is acutely aware human life can't be restored.
"A tragic irony is she had gone out because it was the anniversary of her father's death and a friend had taken her out to take her mind off that.
"She had a few drinks and made the terrible decision to get back in the car. She made the decision I think many people have in the past that she was ok to drive and she obviously was not.
"It is clear her remorse and she is devastated and it will stay with her forever. She can't imagine the pain the family are going thought and she acknowledges that pain and says she is truly sorry".
Eva was taken to University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, for surgery but had suffered a brain stem injury.
She was put on life support but was pronounced dead at around 2pm the following day in October.
Dyer was arrested and later provided a specimen of breath which revealed the presence of 46 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres.
At the time her parents Florin and Carmen spoke of of their beloved daughter.
They said: "We are distraught by our loss. Eva Maria, only six months old, will be missed by us all.
"She was our miracle, our perfect baby girl, a gift from God. She will always be in our hearts.
"We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. It has meant so much to the whole family. We would now like time to grieve and would ask to be given privacy in which to do so."
A court heard the crash took place in Llanelli, South Wales, in October. Dyer confessed and has been jailed for four years just five weeks later.
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
After the case Emma Myles, of the Crown Prosecution Service , said: "This is a heart-breaking case which has had a profound impact on everyone involved in it.
"The life of a baby was ended when it had barely begun but, for the short and precious time that she was with them, Eva Maria was the apple of her parents' eye, and her loss is immeasurable. Our thoughts are with Eva Maria's family.
"Lucy Dyer, who is herself a mother, will have to live with the consequences of her actions that night for the rest of her life."
A fundraising page has raised over £12,000 for the heartbroken parents.
