Harold Hill mechanic jailed for destroying fatal collision car
Liviu Cojan was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Archant
A Harold Hill mechanic who destroyed a car involved in a fatal collision was jailed for three years on Friday.
Liviu Cojan, 33, of Melksham Drive, was repairing the car that hit and killed motorcyclist Martin Pullin in November 2012 on the A12 junction with Rise Park Boulevard, in Rise Park.
Nightclub bouncer Mr Pullin, 42, died at the scene as a result of serious head injuries and the driver fled from the incident.
A second motorcyclist was involved but only suffered minor injuries.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s serious collision investigation unit took forensic evidence from the scene and obtained CCTV which identified the Renault Laguna.
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They traced the car to the registered owner who told them that the car had been in Cojan’s garage at the time of the crash.
Cojan called the owner on the day of the crash and told him that his car was fixed, had been for a test drive and was ready to collect, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
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But Cojan later visited the owner to tell him that he would not be getting the car back and offered him £700 compensation, the jury was told.
Tom Little prosecuting, said: “He no doubt hoped that in paying that money the owner would not go to the police.”
Cojan also intimidated the owner and said that if police were to ask him about the Renault then he was to say someone had borrowed it, the court heard.
The car was never recovered and Cojan denied causing the crash, saying that someone else was behind the wheel.
He suggested that a mechanic may have taken the car out by mistake.
The jury found him guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice for destroying the car.
He was cleared of the further charge of causing death by careless driving.
Read more:
Romford mechanic cleared of death by dangerous driving, guilty of helping driver conceal crime
