A lorry driver has been sentenced to 10 years for killing three children and a mother in a "devastating" crash.

A lorry driver has been sentenced to 10 years for killing three children and a mother in a "devastating" crash.

A lorry driver who killed a mother and three children while distracted by his phone has been jailed for 10 years.

Credit: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire

Tracy Houghton, 45, died instantly along with her sons Ethan, 13, and Joshua, 11, and her partner's daughter Aimee Goldsmith, also 11, when Tomasz Kroker smashed into stationary traffic.

Judge Maura McGowan said his attention had been so poor he "might as well have had his eyes closed".

Kroker, 30, was scrolling through music selections at the time of the crash.

Today, Kroker, who was driving at 50mph, was jailed for 10 years at Reading Crown Court after pleading guilty to all the charges against him.

But in a statement, the victims' grieving relatives hit out at the sentence, saying they feel it 'does not do justice to the crime committed'.

The statement read: "Today Tomasz Kroker has been sentenced for killing much-loved members of our family.

However, in our eyes, the sentence does not do justice to the crime committed.

"Tracey Houghton, her two sons, Ethan and Josh, and Aimee Goldsmith were innocent victims of his actions...

"In the moment Mr Kroker chose to look at his phone he caused a multiple-vehicle accident that endangered all surrounding road users and took the lives of Tracey, Ethan, Josh and my daughter Aimee.

"To all intents and purposes, Mr Kroker's use of his mobile phone whilst driving turned his lorry into a lethal weapon. He was so distracted he made no attempt to slow down.

"The sentence of 10 years in prison will not ease our pain and suffering, nor we do we believe it will send a strong enough message to those who lack the self-restraint to not use their mobile phones whilst driving.

"Anyone using a mobile whilst driving is guilty of dangerous driving. It only takes a second of distraction to kill someone, destroying your life, your family's lives, and those of your victim and their family."