Jackpot winner charged with killing a grandmother

Matt Topham pictured with Cassey Carrington at the time of their lottery win [PA]

Britain's youngest mega lottery winner has been charged with killing a grandmother in a Christmas Day car crash.

Matt Topham, 31, who scooped Sh 6.6 billion  [£45m] on the Euromillions in 2012, was behind the wheel of a BMW when the tragedy happened in North Cockerington, Lincs.

Mary Jane Regler, 75, died and her husband Rodney, 78, who was driving, was seriously injured in the smash last year.

Topham was charged in September with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury as a result of dangerous driving.

The Lotto winner, who is a dad-of-three, appeared via video-link at Lincoln crown court this morning.

Mary, who used the name Jane, lived with her husband in North Cockerington.

She was taken to Grimsby Hospital after the collision but tragically died from her injuries.

Matt Topham is accused of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury. (Image: Sunday Mirror)

In an obituary in her local newspaper in February, her family said she had been “tragically taken” from them.

They described her as a “much-loved wife, mum, nan and friend who will be sadly missed by all that knew her”.

Her daughter-in-law posted on Facebook after her death: “The sudden death of someone you love is like being punched in the face.

“It takes a while to register what's actually happened before it properly starts to hurt

“The bruises and the lasting effects.both physically and psychologically are going to be with you forever.”

Hundreds of mourners wearing bright colours turned out for her funeral at Alford Crematorium.

Topham, who won the jackpot with his supermarket worker wife Casey, will next appear in court on December 18.

He is due to stand trial next March.

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