An Israeli has walked free from court after admitting causing the death by careless driving of an off-duty motorcycle police officer.
Liron Shnaider, 26, of Finchley Road, Golders Green, north west London, was given 20 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 100 hours’ community service when he appeared for sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years and must sit tests before he can drive in Britain again.
Mr Shnaider was acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving after a four-day trial last month at which he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
In passing sentence, Judge Dennis said he fully accepted the submission of Mr Shnaider’s counsel, Jonathan Goldberg QC, that his client had genuinely believed he was driving in a one-way system when the accident happened. This was partly brought about by worn and illegible road markings; a redundant traffic sign which was meant to symbolise a diversion but closely corresponded with the international blue one-way traffic sign; and a misleading command from Mr Shnaider’s satellite navigation system moments before the fatal impact.
PC Dent, a father of three, was on his way home from his base in Alperton, west London, when the collision with Mr Shnaider’s car occurred last April.
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