Paul Cambray faces a lengthy jail term

Paul Cambray, 45, of Ryde, Isle of Wight, was unsupervised when he tried to park at a beachside car park at Yaverland, on the island last July.

Toddler Maximillian Young's family, of Fulham, welcomed the verdict but called for a barrier at the crash scene.

The judge warned Cambray he faced a lengthy prison sentence.

Cambray, of Great Preston Road, was also found guilty on Thursday of unlawful wounding and dangerous driving in relation to Maximillian's father.

But Cambray was not in court to hear the verdict against him as he is at a psychiatric unit undergoing assessment, Portsmouth Crown Court was told.

Regardless of the outcome today, nothing will bring our little boy Maximillian back to us Maximillian's parents

After the verdicts, Maximillian's parents, Antje and Charles Young, released a statement, that read: "Regardless of the outcome today, nothing will bring our little boy Maximillian back to us.

"There are no words to express the loss of a child.

"In this case Mr Cambray's negligent actions in driving over the sea wall and onto the beach killed our son.

"We would like to take the opportunity to express our disappointment at the lack of action taken by the Isle of Wight Council into making the parking area safe at the point where Max was killed.

Dangerous driving

"The installation of a simple crash barrier along the edge of the sea wall where Mr Cambray's car plunged 12ft down a sheer drop onto our beautiful two-year-old baby boy, killing him and injuring Max's father, could have been prevented if a barrier had been installed.

"We appeal to the council and to the people of the Isle of Wight to take action as a matter of urgency."

However, the Isle of Wight Council said an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive showed that railings were unlikely to have prevented the accident.

The responsibility for preventing death on the island's road lies with each and every driver behind the wheel Isle of Wight Council

A council statement said: "It is not possible to protect pedestrians at all times from the kinds of dangerous driving involved in these incidents.

"While the Isle of Wight Council will take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of residents and visitors, the ultimate responsibility for preventing death on the island's road lies with each and every driver behind the wheel of their vehicle."

Maximillian was at the beach with his parents at the time of the accident, which left his father with two broken ribs and a broken pelvis.

Cambray, a carpenter, was with three friends, none of whom were qualified drivers or able to supervise him, when he attempted to park the car in a space facing the beach, the jury heard during the trial.

He said his foot had slipped onto the accelerator.

His driving instructor, Ian Smith, told the jury that Cambray was a "nervous, low-ability" driver who needed about 60 hours tuition before he was ready to pass his test.

Maximillian suffered serious head, neck and spine injuries and died almost instantly in the crash.

It was the second similar tragedy to occur on the Isle of Wight.