But he is spared jail after the victim’s family plea to the judge

A BUS driver who knocked down and killed a pedestrian has been spared jail after the dead man’s family asked the judge not to lock him up.

Michal Giebel, 33, who is originally from Poland, was driving a 266 bus when he knocked down John Milligan as he crossed Chichele Road at the junction of Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, on April 25 this year.

The 55-year-old who lived in nearby Ivy Road, was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

On Monday at Harrow Crown Court, Giebel admitted one count of causing death by careless driving.

Mr Mulligan’s family were present to hear his plea and in a victim impact statement, which was read out in court, they asked the judge not to send Giebel to prison.

Giebel was sentenced to a three year prohibition order banning him from driving any public service vehicle, disqualified from driving for a period of two years, and has been ordered to take an extended driving test.

He is also banned from being anywhere within the M25 for three years.

Five days before the crash the married father-of-one had resigned from his job so he could return to his homeland and be with his wife and daughter.

After his arrest, he was unable to leave the country so will leave the UK in the next few days.

Detective Sergeant Chris Osborne, Metropolitan Police Service, Collision Investigation Unit said: “By admitting his guilt Giebel has vindicated Mr Mulligan of any wrong doing and has taken sole responsibility for the collision taking place.

“Giebel has admitted that a moments lapse of concentration caused Mr Mulligan to lose his life, it was not a vindictive act, but a driver looking at on coming traffic turning, instead of where he was going.