A DRIVER who killed a police motorcyclist in a crash earlier this year has been handed a suspended sentence by the courts.

PC Chris Dent was riding his own motorbike home after finishing his shift in Alperton on April 22, when he was hit by a VW Passat driven by Liron Shnaider, from Finchley Road, Golders Green.

The crash involving the officer, who was based at the Traffic Operational Command Unit (OCU), happened at about 9.30pm in Perivale.

It was then that 26-year-old Shnaider fled the scene on foot, leaving two passengers in his car.

Officers said enquiries “quickly identified” Schnaider as the driver and he was arrested and charged.

Following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court, he was found not guilty on November 5 of death by dangerous driving. He had previously pleaded guilty to death by careless driving.

Judges at the same court today sentenced Schnaider to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours community service.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and must sit extended re tests.