THE mother of a zoo keeper killed by a tiger said closure started for them when her employer finally admitted guilt over her tragic death.

Preston Crown Court heard harrowing personal impact statements from Sarah McClay's family and how her passing came just four years after her father lost his life.

Her partner, David Shaw, said after the hearing that whatever the outcome had been "you can't put a price on life".

Yesterday Fiona McClay said she could finally begin to try and move forward and get some closure.

South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton was fined after admitting safety failings over a Sumatran tiger which mauled the 24-year-old to death in May 2013.

In relation to that case they must pay £255,000; £42,500 for an incident where a zoo keeper fell from a ladder and £150,000 in court costs. The latter amount will be paid by insurance.

Individual charges against 55-year-old David Gill, the zoo's director and founder, were dropped.

During the hearing, Mrs McClay's heartbreaking statement was read to the court about how she has been left devastated by her daughter's death.

Mr Nigel Lawrence, prosecuting, acting on behalf of Barrow Borough Council, said: "She feels like her life ended when her daughter died. She has said she is unable to connect with her other two children emotionally because she is scared something will happen to them.

"She becomes upset when she holds her grandchild because it reminds her that Sarah will never be a wife and mother like she wanted.

"She also feels guilty for pushing Sarah into a full-time job at the zoo."

Speaking after the case, Mrs McClay said: "The admission of guilt was what first gave us some closure finally and we don't have to suffer a long trial listening to the evidence.

"It doesn't matter that the charges were dropped against David Gill. Most people think of him when they think of the zoo in the area. He is the zoo.

"I think everything the judge said was very fair and made sense. He said he has to follow guidelines."

Miss McClay's childhood sweetheart Mr Shaw was left severely depressed after her death and is still unable to to sleep in the bed they shared.

He described her as the "soul" of their house.

Mr Shaw said: "The outcome is satisfactory. I think the judge did his job in a fairly responsible and fair way.

"Whatever was going to be the outcome you can't put a price on a life."

The judge, Mr Justice Turner, told Miss McClay's family that they have his "deepest sympathies". He added that "if this provides nothing else for the family I hope it gives closure".

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Turner said: "First I want to say that any sentence passed does not put any value on Sarah's life.

"It's clear she was dearly loved and her death had been hard hitting."
The judge, who described the incident leading to Miss McClay's death as "particularly shocking", reminded the court that he cannot send a company to prison or hand down any form of community service.

Mr Justice Turner said Miss McClay's death had been "foreseeable".