Cab driver given 140 hours of unpaid work for causing death of biker in moment of 'absurd' driving (From Harrow Times)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news & views by texting Harrow Times to 80360, or email us
Cab driver given 140 hours of unpaid work for causing death of biker Terry Smith in Borehamwood
9:51am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Court Reporter
A driver who caused the death of a motorcyclist - and left three children without a father - when he suddenly pulled across his path has been ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Judge John Plumstead at St Albans Crown Court told Habib Sherzai it had been a piece of "absurd driving" when he cut across the path of motorcyclist Terry Smith.
But the judge pointed out that because of the time the defendant had spent in custody on remand and then on a tagged curfew, it meant that any sentence he was given would mean he would be set free in a very short time.
Sherzai, 22, of Athelstone Road, Harrow, who was a self-employed licenced private hire taxi driver, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving on March 20 last year.
Prosecutor Sally Mealing McLeod told the court Sherzai did not have a fare on board as he drove his silver blue VW Passat car along Station Road in Borehamwood at 4.35pm that day.
Coming in the opposite direction was Mr Smith on his black Honda CBR900 motorcycle.
Mr Smith was a mechanic working at Elstree Film Studios and an experienced motorcyclist.
The court was told that as Sherzai reached the right turn into Academy Court, he made a right turn into the path of the oncoming motorcyclist, causing a collision.
Mr Smith, a father of two teenage sons and a four-year-old daughter, sustained multiple injuries and despite being rushed to hospital, died a short time later.
A witness later told police the defendant's car had turned right without signaling.
Miss McLeod said Mr Smith was thrown through the air after his motorbike collided with the passenger door of the car and he landed on his back.
Judge Plumstead said it was an act of carelessness on behalf of Sherzai that had changed the lives of an entire family.
He said Mr Smith had been in the prime of his life and was "a father to be proud of and a highly skilled and decent man".
In addition, Sherzai was disqualified from driving for two years.
The judge pointed out the defendant had not tried to "escape justice" and up until that day had been a law abiding young man.
The judge told him: "This was a piece of absurd driving."
Comments(20)
deelennon
says...
5:41pm Tue 5 Mar 13
RIP TERRY
1971
says...
5:52pm Tue 5 Mar 13
RIP Terry
fishingjoe
says...
10:51pm Tue 5 Mar 13
R.I.P Terry
Skhan13
says...
9:42am Wed 6 Mar 13
*2013*
says...
10:23am Wed 6 Mar 13
laurie
says...
11:03am Wed 6 Mar 13
Rip Terry I never knew you but my heart goes out your family and friends xxx.
craigp
says...
12:53pm Wed 6 Mar 13
SeaBee
says...
10:08pm Wed 6 Mar 13
chelseaboy
says...
12:57am Thu 7 Mar 13
roysmith
says...
1:11am Thu 7 Mar 13
rip tel dadxxx
Cags92
says...
8:09am Thu 7 Mar 13
mr.taxpayer
says...
4:02pm Thu 7 Mar 13
G_Whiz
says...
10:03pm Thu 7 Mar 13
Enemy of innocent victims.
Nothing in this story disputes that.
My opinion anyway.
roysmith
says...
12:16am Fri 8 Mar 13
March 6, 2013
By admin
A driver who caused the death of a motorcyclist - and left three children without a father – when he suddenly pulled across his path has been ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work. Judge John Plumstead at St Albans Crown Court told Habib Sherzai it had been a piece of “absurd driving” when he cut across the path of motorcyclist Terry Smith.
The usual horse trading took place within the police and CPS and Legal Aid Solicitors ,the charges reduced, mitigation accepted, in exchange for a “plea-bargain”. Funny how the “self employed” taxi driver qualified for Legal -Aid?
In my opinion this man should serve a sentence commensurate with the loss he has caused – A motor vehice is a deadly weapon and to be negligent to the degree that witnesses state, makes this culpable homicide. In two years time Habib Sherzai may be driving a taxi again – maybe near your family.
We are told by politicians that immigration is a benefit to us, as we need skilled people in the labour market. (actually it is to benefit big-bosses and to keep down wages)
The wrecked lives and misery caused by the ordinary people who have to live with the consequences of immigration are never taken into account.
I have observed that the vast majority of minicabs in the UK are now driven by Afghani/Pakistani muslims. If you doubt this – visit a railway station and conduct your own survey.
As a driver for 30+ years, I have observed these drivers to be frequently dangerous and law breaking.
I do not feel safe when family members, especially women, use taxis late at night, because I have learned about Islam and the low regard that its adherents have for women, especially European, non-muslim women .
If you, or you family use foreign taxi companies or drivers, you are contributing to this problem and you are encouraging more to come.
craigp
says...
9:10am Fri 8 Mar 13
brettslewis
says...
2:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13
D3vil5Adv0cat3
says...
3:09pm Fri 8 Mar 13
The wrecked lives and misery caused by the ordinary people who have to live with the consequences of immigration are never taken into account."
Why does everything have to boil down to race.....what has the race of this man got to do with his terrible deed?? Had he been one of our local boys driving would that have made it more palatable?? Nowhere does it say he is an illegal immigrant....why should we assume that because he went to India he is illegal??
"I have observed that the vast majority of minicabs in the UK are now driven by Afghani/Pakistani muslims. If you doubt this – visit a railway station and conduct your own survey."
Have you ever had a conversation with any of these individuals....the majority of them have degrees from their countries which are not always recognised in our country and they therefore take on the degrading job of being a cabie.
"Any driver causing the death of another human being should be charged with manslaughter unless it was a deliberate attempt to cause injury in which case it should be murder."
This is the most obvious solution....and the most rational....any person (regardless of colour, race, religion etc) should have to suffer a more severe consequence for their negligence....althou
gh the time issued for manslaughter/murder is laughable too in our country!! Yes, this man will have to live with his guilt and replay the incident in his head for the rest of his life..........HOWEVE
R......the victim's children will never be able to turn around and say "Hey dad, can you take me to football practice" or "Dad can you help me with my homework"....that is the MOST DEVASTATING result of this situation!!! The judge should have taken this into consideration when passing sentence!!!
I wish the family peace and some comfort in the knowledge that they still have eachother to lean on. We can only ask for a glimmer of hope that one day our justice system will work correctly and manslaughter will be recognised and punishable accordingly.
laurie
says...
9:35pm Sat 9 Mar 13
roysmith
says...
12:28am Sun 10 Mar 13
pepsiman says...
11:07am Tue 5 Mar 13