A DEATH crash driver was fined £120 today for motoring offences after a father and his eight-year-old daughter were killed on the A14.Adalberto Conde , of Suffolk Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to charges of driving without a licence and not ensuring a child was strapped into the back seat securely.

A DEATH crash driver was fined £120 today for motoring offences after a father and his eight-year-old daughter were killed on the A14.

Adalberto Conde , of Suffolk Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to charges of driving without a licence and not ensuring a child was strapped into the back seat securely.

The court heard the 24-year-old has been left traumatised by the tragedy and has had nightmares ever since. It was stressed that Conde was not responsible for the cause of the accident which led to the deaths of Portuguese national Jose Gomes Costa, 30, and his daughter Erica Martins Andrade.

The pair died in the early hours of Monday, February 26, when they were thrown from Conde's Peugeot car during the crash.

After the case Conde indicated people had blamed him for their deaths when he said: “A lot of things that have been said about me are not true. I'm guilty of two charges and that's it.

“This is the law and I will respect it.

“I'm pleased the case is over and feel I need to rest now.”

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, told magistrates Conde was asked to do a favour by his family and take Mr Costa to pick up Erica and her mother from Luton Airport. Another man was also travelling in the car.

Only Conde was wearing a seatbelt.

As Conde's Peugeot drove along the A14 near Coddenham, three deers ran out ahead of the vehicle in front on it. One was hit by the vehicle which pulled into the hard shoulder.

The court heard as Conde's car drove over the deer carcass, then spun round and Mr Costa and his daughter were ejected. It is believed another four cars hit the deer after the first one.

Conde had passed a driving test while living in Africa, but magistrates were told he did not hold a Portuguese or UK driving licence.

He claimed he did not realise it was his responsibility to strap a child into the back seat of the car.

Mr Costa was the front seat passenger with Erica sitting in the middle of the back seat.

Claire Hullock, representing, Conde - a factory worker who has been off work since the double tragedy, said: “He's been having nightmares. He thought he was going to be sent to prison by the court today.”

Conde was fined £60 for each charge he admitted and given three penalty points on his provisional driving licence. He was also ordered to pay £35 costs.

After the case Suffolk police's head of traffic, chief inspector Martin Barnes-Smith said: “Nothing would ever bring those lives back and the tragic events of that day have been well documented. Our heartfelt sympathies go to the family and people who have lost their lives.

“This case supports the importance of the message that we are trying to get across in respect that people need to wear seat belts that don't necessarily prevent collisions happening, but, as here and in other cases, do save lives.”