Crime

A MAN convicted over the hit and run death of Simmone Hedges has been jailed for just 16 weeks.

Rati Suladze, 37, of The Larches, Hillingdon, was sentenced at Hendon Magistrate's Court today (Monday).

He had previously been convicted of failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

Magistrates sentenced him to 16 weeks in jail for each offence, which will run concurrently.

Simmone, known to friends as 'Minnie', died in hospital of her injuries after being run over in The Larches by Mr Suladze on November 21 2008.

IT HAS been revealed that a speed camera in Hillingdon which was felled, was in fact the result of a drunk driver crashing into it.

It was originally thought that the Gatso in Long Lane, Hillingdon, was lying prone on the side of the road after an act of vandalism by a disgruntled motorist, with Hillingdon police unable to provide information otherwise.

However, a witness to the crash, which took place on December 27, has revealed that a driver of a Land Rover in fact ploughed into the speed camera at high speed.

Nicki Couch, of nearby Windsor Avenue, Hillingdon, said: "The driver of the Land Rover had been driving under the influence of alcohol and had in fact collided into the speed camera, whilst managing to completely write off a silver Vauxhall Corsa belonging to an elderly resident of Long Lane.

"I actually called the police at the scene of the accident and my father and my sister's fiance had caught up with the driver down by Oak Farm Library and held him there until the police came.

"To see that someone had written to the Gazette saying that the speed camera's are not wanted there, to be honest, horrifies me and obviously it is needed following the event mentioned above.

"If someone had in fact been in that Corsa, I can assure you that they would not have survived."

The road stretches between Uxbridge and Ickenham, and has a speed camera near to the junction with Oak Farm Primary School.

Ms Couch added: "I think that the need for speed camera's along Long Lane and other busy roads is completely essential to ensure the safety of all road users and pedestrians, not forgetting the fact that this speed camera was directly opposite a popular primary school."

Swindon Council recently caused controversy by becoming the first local authority in England to axe speed cameras claiming they do not save lives, although Hillingdon Council, who have been running a hard hitting anti-speeding campaign over the past few months, indicated they have no plans to follow suit.

What do you think about speed cameras? Are they essential to cutting down on accidents? Leave a comment below

A SPEED camera in Hillingdon was ripped out from the ground by a disgruntled motorist.

The Gatso in Long Lane, Hillingdon, was ripped out presumably with the help of heavy machinery, and is lying prone on the side of the busy 30mph road.

Gazette photographer Toby van de Velde said: "It looks like somebody has just wrapped a chain around it and yanked it out."

The road stretches between Uxbridge and Ickenham, and has a speed camera near to the junction with Oak Farm Primary School.

Mukhtar Ali, from Iver, who uses the road daily, said: "The camera has been completely uprooted, it is very good news.

"I think it is a message for Hillingdon that speed cameras are not wanted here."

The camera is 50 yards from the shrine to Terry Hobson, the driver who died on the road on New Years' Eve 2008, who crashed into a tree while being followed by police.

Swindon Council recently caused controversy by becoming the first local authority in England to axe speed cameras claiming they do not save lives, although Hillingdon Council , who have been running a hard hitting anti-speeding campaign over the past few months, indicated they have no plans to follow suit.

Police are believed to be investigating the incident.

What do you think? Should speed cameras be axed?Leave a comment below...

THE case of a man convicted over the death of teenager Simmone Hedges is still without resolution after the final court date descended into a farce.

Rati Suladze, 35, of The Larches, Hillingdon, was set to be sentenced today (Wednesday) after being convicted of failing to stop and failing to report an accident after Simmone was run over and killed on November 21 last year.

A MAN found guilty of failing to stop after running over teenager Simmone Hedges will be sentenced tomorrow (Wednesday)

Rati Suladze, 35, of The Larches, Hillingdon, will face Magistrate's at Hendon Magistrate's Court at 2pm who will decide whether or not to impose a custodial sentence.

Mr Suladze, from Georgia, was also found guilty of failing to report the accident which took place on November 21 last year.

To find out the result of the sentencing visit www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk later tomorrow.

A DRIVER who was charged with two counts relating to the death of Simmone Hedges has been found guilty on both.

Rati Suladze, 35, a Georgian national from The Larches, Hillingdon, was charged with two offences of failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and failing to report an accident.

Magistrate's at Hendon found him guilty on both counts today (Mon) after a trial which took place last Monday (9) and he will be sentenced on December 9.

Simmone Hedges, of Brampton Road, Hillingdon, died two weeks short of her 20th birthday, when she was run over on November 21 last year.

Leave your reaction to the verdict below...

THE family of Simmone Hedges is anxiously awaiting a court's decision.

Magistrates in Hendon heard the evidence for and against Rati Suladze, of The Larches, Hillingdon, who is charged on two counts relating to the death of Simmone - known as Minnie - in the road where he lived last November.

AN IRATE motorist has been found guilty of driving his car at another man after a row about swearing spiralled out of control at a garage.

Andrew Hrabovszky hurled abuse and became threatening at the BP garage, in Long Lane, Uxbridge, after another customer told him to tone down his language on April 20.

During the trial, which started on October 13, the jury heard how Winston Riley was working under the bonnet of his car at the petrol station when Hrabovszky arrived, letting out a volley of expletives during a lengthy row with his girlfriend.

Alexandra Felix, prosecuting, said: "This defendant, having argued with his partner, used unlawful violence towards Mr Winston Riley.

"He also, during the course of the incident, got a knife or multi-tool out, and what I mean by multi-tool is something which has various tools in it including knives, and so the crown says he had an offensive weapon, and having used that, he then drove at Winston Riley repeatedly."

The row erupted after Hrabovszky arrived and could be heard arguing and swearing in a loud voice while sitting in the car for a long period of time.

When he eventually got the petrol and went to pay, Mr Riley asked him to mind his language as there were children in the car.

The defendant then approached Mr Riley in an aggressive manner, causing him to fear for his safety.

It was then that he returned to his BMW saying "I'm going to do you, you black c**t," and was alleged to have got out the multi-tool.

After putting it back, another scuffle ensued before Hrabovszky left the garage, after driving repeatedly at Mr Riley on the way.

On Wednesday (21) the jury at Isleworth Crown Court found the 39-year-old, from West Ealing, guilty of affray and driving dangerously.

But after deliberating for a day and a half they failed to agree on whether the multi-tool constituted an offensive weapon.

Hrabovszky must now wait to hear his fate after Judge Georgina Kent adjourned sentencing until November 20.

A TEENAGE driver charged with killing a man has had his trial date set.

Aidan James Bull, 19, of Old Hatch Manor, Ruislip, was charged with causing the death of Malcolm Robinson on Long Lane, Hillingdon, on November 13 last year by driving without due care and attention.

A pre-trial hearing is set for September 4 and the case will go to trial at Isleworth Crown Court on September 28.

A TEEANGE driver charged with killing a man is due to appear at crown court.

Aidan James Bull, 19, of Old Hatch Manor, Ruislip, was charged with causing the death of Malcolm Robinson on Long Lane, Hillingdon, on November 13 last year by driving without due care and attention.

He is due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on July 7.