Bus driver avoids jail over death

The driver of a double-decker bus, who knocked over and killed an 83-year-old woman as she crossed a road in Greater London, has avoided jail.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC said at the Old Bailey that the incident was a ‘momentary error’ and Ozdemir Zia did not intend to hurt, let alone kill, Edna McLean.

Zia was turning on to Vincent Road, next to Woolwich Arsenal station, when he struck Mrs McLean in September 2021.

The 77-year-old — convicted of causing death by careless driving — received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, plus 12 days of rehabilitation activity; the judge also disqualified him from driving for three years.