A man who crashed into an Elstree roundabout just hours after he strangled his daughter will spend 20 years behind bars for her manslaughter.

Simon Thompson, 52, was today sentenced at St Albans Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to killing Rebecca, 11, on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Thompson was pulled from the wreckage of his car after he crashed into the roundabout at the junction of Elstree Hill and the A41 just after midnight on June 22.

He suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to hospital.

Hours later, his ex-wife found Rebecca’s body in their home in Homefield Road in Bushey.

He had strangled her the previous day after a trip to London Zoo.

Thompson was arrested by officers from the Major Crime Unit when he was deemed medically fit.

Detective Inspector John Arthur, who led the investigation into Rebecca’s death, said: “Simon Thompson has been professionally identified as a man who had psychiatric issues at the time. However his actions last summer were callous when he killed his daughter, his only child, leaving her mother distraught.

“There are no words of comfort in cases such as these. Rebecca had her whole life ahead of her and her chance for a future has been taken away by someone who was supposed to keep her safe and protect her from the dangers in this world.

“On behalf of my team can I thank Rebecca’s mother and friends for the dignity and courage they have shown during what has been a very difficult time for them and hope that with time they can rebuild their lives.”