THE parents of tragic schoolgirl Natalie Warren say they have forgiven the motorist who caused their daughter’s death.

Brian and Marion Cornish spoke with Darren Collins - the driver of the car which hit their daughter’s moped - and his parents after he admitted careless driving at a hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Cornick, Natalie’s stepfather, said: “We have forgiven him but that does not make the loss of Natalie any easier. We went through the whole thing with his family after the case and they are just as hurt and devastated as we are.”

Natalie, 16, was knocked off her Aprilia moped on January 9 when Collins lost control of his Ford Escort. Collins, 18, of Sedley Close, in Cliffe, near Strood, pleaded guilty to careless driving.

Bill Fern, prosecuting, said Collins had been travelling home to Cliffe from his workplace in Strood when the crash happened.

The Ford Escort had gone out of control into the path of oncoming traffic and knocked Natalie from her moped. Mr Fern said: “He could give no reason in police interviews for the crash."

Kevin Gladwell, defending, said Collins had been devastated by his role in the accident and was still on medication to sleep. Magistrates fined Collins £2,000 and put six points on his licence. As he only passed his test in April 2001, he will have to re-take his driving test.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Cornick said: “We spoke to Mr Collins after the court hearing and after the inquest last week. He is a young man who made a dreadful mistake which is going to haunt him for the rest of his life - as it will us.

“I just hope that a lot of youngsters just passing their tests read about what happened and learn from it.”