Man sentenced after Croydon hit and run

26/04/2012

A 22 year old man has today (26 April) been sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison after he admitted causing the death of a 14 year old girl in a hit and run collision in Croydon in February 2011.  

Steven Saunders pleaded guilty to all offences. He has been sentenced to five years in prison for one count of causing death by dangerous driving, 18 months in prison to run consecutively for one count of perverting the course of justice and sixteen months in prison to run concurrently for one count of causing a death while uninsured and one count of causing a death while unlicensed. He was sentenced today at Croydon Crown Court.

He was the driver of a car travelling at speeds greater than 50 mph in a 30 mph zone on Morland Road in Croydon when he collided with 14 year old Alessia Boschiazzo who was crossing the road on foot.

Saunders failed to stop after the accident but dumped the car less than a mile away and set fire to it.

Alessia suffered severe head injuries in the collision and died on 4 March 2011.

CPS London lawyer Graham Partridge said:

"Steven Saunders was an unlicensed and uninsured driver travelling at speeds significantly above the speed limit when he hit 14 year old Alessia Boschiazzo and drove off from the scene.

"His driving fell far below the standard of a competent and prudent driver.

"The act of burning the car after the collision was a deliberate attempt to evade justice and could have had a detrimental effect upon the prosecution.

"I am grateful to the numerous witnesses who gave statements. This meant the Crown Prosecution Service was able to put together a very strong case against Steven Saunders and one which prompted him to plead guilty before trial."