A WOMAN who pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving has been sentenced to unpaid work and a driving ban.

Nita Patel, 52, of Maya Close, Shoebury, was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work and banned from driving for a year at Southend Magistrates’ Court today after admitting causing the death of motorcyclist Dominique Burrows.

Mr Burrows, 48, of Delaware Crescent, Shoebury, died after his QM125 motorbike was hit by Patel’s Toyota Carina in Ness Road at about 1.35pm on Wednesday, November 11. Passers-by overturned the car to pull Mr Burrows from the wreckage and he was taken to Southend Hospital before being transferred to the Royal London Hospital where he later died.

Det Sgt Catherine Offord of Essex Police’s serious collision investigation unit said: "By pleading guilty Nita Patel has today admitted that her driving was at fault and that this caused the death of Dominique Burrows. Her counsel said she was devastated to have caused the death of someone who was loved so much.

“Whilst it is accepted that it was a momentary lapse of concentration on her part it shows how such a momentary lapse can have devastating consequences. She didn’t see Dominique Burrows as he rode towards her.

“The result of this acts as a reminder for all road users to be ever vigilant. I would emphasise this even more so when it comes to noticing riders of either motorcycles or pedal cycles as they are particularly vulnerable.

"I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of Dominique Burrows whose Victim Impact Statements were read out in Court and provoked the magistrate to say, ‘ I want you to appreciate we feel your pain.”

Mr Burrows was a First Essex bus driver and a passionate campaigner for social equality.