Motorist admits causing death of 'hero' cyclist by careless driving

A Neasden man has admitted causing the death of a cyclist who was once offered a police bravery award for helping catch a mugger.

The Kilburn Times reports that Mishal Alshammary had been due to stand trial for causing death by dangerous driving, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving after the prosecution accepted that he had not been driving over the 30mph speed limit at the time.

Clifton James, 60, was riding his bike home at around midnight on June 20 2015 when he was hit by a car driven by Alshammary as he crossed a mini-roundabout in Forward Drive, Harrow.

Alshammary failed to slow down as he approached the junction and James, who was just yards from his home, suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A formal not guilty verdict was entered to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving and Alshammary was released on bail before sentencing, which is expected to be on March 30.

Judge Anthony Bate said: “Immediate custody may well be an option in this case for the judge to consider, and you should prepare yourself for that.”

James had once been offered a police bravery award for helping to catch a mugger, but had turned it down as he did not want the attention. He had tackled the man as he tried to rob an elderly lady and pinned him down until police arrived.

His widow, Sandra, said she was unhappy with how the case had panned out.

“It doesn’t take 20 months to plead to careless driving, does it? I don’t feel like he’s remorseful — he’s going to think about himself and his family. He shouldn’t have been going at that speed on that roundabout. We’re not happy with it but it’s not in our hands.”