A Manston drug–driver has been sentenced to 16 years for causing the deaths of a pregnant woman and her father when he hit a family of five with his car in Ramsgate,
Nitesh Bissendary, 31, of Highlands Glade, Manston killed Yoram Hirshfield, 81, and his daughter Noga Sella, 37, when he mounted the pavement and crashed into them in Leopold Street on the evening of Wednesday 10 August. Noga’s husband Omer suffered internal organ damage and their five-year-old daughter suffered serious head injury. Their son was also injured in the incident.
Bissendary had travelled around 30 metres on the pavement before colliding with the family and then fled the scene immediately afterwards.
Bissendary admitted causing death by careless driving but denied the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving, in addition to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was convicted following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced today (December 8)
In addition to his custodial sentence Bissendary will also be disqualified from driving for 10 years following his release.
Noga was a Consultant Physicist living in Cambridge with Omer and their children. Her father Yoram lived in Israel and was in the UK to visit his family. Noga was five weeks pregnant when she was killed in the collision.
The court heard how Bissendary returned to the scene of the incident after initially fleeing on foot, failing a roadside drug test that indicated traces of cocaine. However he refused to give a follow-up blood test following arrest. Bissendary claimed to have a vehicle defect which he was trying to rectify, causing him to take his eyes off the road moments before the collision.
Detective Inspector Lynn Wilczek of Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “There are few things in life as painful as the loss of a loved one, especially when such a loss comes without warning and as the result of someone else’s irresponsible behaviour. To lose two people at the same time is unimaginable.
“From the moment he took cocaine before getting behind the wheel of his car, the actions of Nitesh Bissendary have been nothing short of disgraceful. He has refused to take full responsibility for a tragic incident that was completely avoidable and entirely of his making, going so far as to run away whilst his victims lay injured and dying. Denying his actions were dangerous only caused more pain for the family as they were forced to relive the terrible events of that night during his trial.
“I am pleased the jury saw fit to convict Bissendary for his crimes and that he will now serve a significant period of time behind bars where he belongs.
“This case should serve as a stark reminder to all motorists of the dangers of drug-driving and why we do not hesitate to take action against anyone who is found to be under the influence. Such selfish actions really do put lives at risk.”
Bissendary also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, failing to provide a sample for analysis and possession with intent to supply cocaine.
