THE mother of a five-year-old girl who died in a faulty lift three months after flaws were identified has told of the 'storm-like' devastation her death has caused the family.

Alexys Brown died at her home in Emmadale Close in Weymouth on August 13 2015 when her head became trapped between a lift door and the ground floor ceiling.

The Health and Safety Executive has brought charges against two companies, the landlord Synergy and Orona Limited, which was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the lift.

Representatives from both companies appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday.

Both have admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

In an impact statement read in court at the sentencing hearing, Alexys' mother, Lorraine Brown, said her daughter's death had left a 'storm-like' devastation throughout her family.

Mrs Brown said her other daughter Sienna had been forced to "rapidly mature" while son Jack was receiving treatment for post traumatic stress disorder.

"Everyday we relive that horrible day," she said. "Someone somewhere has to take responsibility. Someone failed our family."

The court heard the lift's glass door was damaged. It is believed Alexys put her head through a hole in the door to watch her brother as the lift ascended.

Sara Lawson, prosecuting, told the court the damage had been identified by an engineer during an inspection in May 2015. It was not fixed, the court heard.

An emergency lowering system in the lift was also broken, meaning firefighters were forced to cut into the lift car to free Alexys.

The hearing continues.