Cocaine-fuelled driver who killed pregnant Cambridge scientist, 37, and her professor father, 81, when he ploughed into family-of-five on the pavement is jailed for 16 years
- Nitesh Bissendary, 30, was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving
- Victims were father, 81, and daughter, 37, said to be five weeks pregnant at time
- Driver ploughed into family and then returned to car for drugs, court heard
- Prosecutor said crash was ‘entirely avoidable’ and caused by cocaine usage
A cocaine-fuelled driver who mowed down and killed a pregnant Cambridge scientist and her professor father while ploughing into a family-of-five has been sentenced to sixteen years in jail today.
Nitesh Bissendary, 30, was under the influence of the class A drug when he veered into the family in his black Alfa Romeo as they walked near a car park.
Yoram Hirshfeld, 81, and Noga Sella, 37, who was apparently five weeks pregnant with her third child, died when the car mounted a pavement in Ramsgate, Kent, in August.
Bissendary was convicted following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced today.
The driver had travelled 30 yards along the sidewalk before colliding with the victims in the tragedy, the court heard.
Mrs Sella’s husband Omer, 40, suffered a lacerated spleen and their five-year-old daughter had a life-threatening head injury.
Cocaine-fuelled driver jailed for 16 years after killing pregnant scientist, 37, and her father, 81, when he hit them with his black Alfa Romeo as they walked back to their hotel at around 9:35pm on August 10 this year. He has today received a 16 year jail sentence
Cambridge physicist Noga Sella (left), 37, and Israel-based professor Yoram Hirshfeld (right), 81, both died when they were hit by a black Alfa Romeo in Ramsgate, Kent around 9.35pm on August 10
The couple’s eight-year-old son also suffered shock and minor injuries.
Mrs Sella was pronounced dead at the scene and Mr Hirshfeld died shortly afterwards.
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.
Speaking today, 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.
Bissendary had travelled 30 yards along the sidewalk before colliding with the victims in the tragedy, the court heard
‘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 denied causing their deaths by dangerous driving, but yesterday jurors returned unanimous guilty verdicts after deliberating for four hours and eight minutes.
After the verdicts were delivered, Bissendary could be seen sitting down in the dock, taking deep breaths.
He claimed the accident happened when he became distracted while trying to lift a faulty clutch with his hand while turning onto the road.
Meanwhile, he insisted he ran from the scene ‘in a panic’ after not realising he had struck anyone – despite Mrs Sella being trapped under the wreckage.
Bissendary returned to his vehicle shortly afterwards to retrieve cocaine from his car, as emergency workers treated the injured, the prosecution said during the trial.
But Bissendary claimed he was unaware of most of the injured family members and only wished to switch off the ignition.
He also claimed he refused to give blood as part of a drug test in the aftermath because he suffers from a needle phobia.
Mrs Sella’s husband Omer (pictured together) sustained serious injuries as they were struck by the car as they walked back to their hotel in the seaside town. Two children were also hurt in the collision
Bissendary was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Canterbury Crown Court
The tragedy unfolded outside a multi-storey car park in Leopold Street at about 9.30pm on August 10, 2022.
Four of the victims lived in Cambridge, while Mr Hirshfeld was visiting his family from Israel and all were returning to their hotel after a meal.
Eyewitnesses described hearing ‘crunching noises and screaming’ outside a multi-story car park.
Prosecutor Nina Ellin said the crash was ‘entirely avoidable’ and Bissendary’s judgement was impaired after taking cocaine.
She told the court at the beginning of the trial: ‘The Crown say the fault of the collision was entirely the defendant’s. The collision was entirely avoidable.
‘The very fact that the vehicle mounted the kerb showed that the defendant was not controlling his vehicle as a competent and careful driver should do.’
Bissendary, of Manston, Kent, was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Before trial, he admitted two lesser charges of causing death by careless driving.
He also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, failing to provide a sample for analysis and possession with intent to supply cocaine.
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