A taxi driver from Wembley who killed a teacher after smashing into the back of his car has been found guilty of causing his death by careless driving.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Heston Blumenthal (Pic credit: PA)Heston Blumenthal (Pic credit: PA) (Image: Archant)

Kugannesan Balasubramaniam, 31, Longley Avenue, collided into the classic sports car driven by Nick Sennett so hard it ‘folded like a penknife’ on the A40 Westway.

Mr Sennett, who was 58-year-old and taught economics at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, died at the scene on January 15 this year.

Southwark Crown Court heard Balasubramaniam, had been speeding at 48mph on the 40mph road and had worked for 90 hours in the previous seven days for the cab hire company One to One.

The short-sighted driver also failed a basic numberplate-reading eye test when officers attended the scene.

Balasubramaniam had denied a single charge of causing death by dangerous driving and was convicted by the alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.

He will be sentenced on January 15.

Warning him he faces jail, Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC told Balasubramaniam: “You should understand that the law makes it clear that a custodial sentence is likely but as you are a man of previous good character I order a pre-sentence report for that day.’

Mr Sennett was a former teacher of chef Heston Blumenthal OBE who attended the £15,700-a-year school.

Paying tribute to him shortly after his death, he said: “What made Nick stand out was his very calm, playful banter. He was one of those teachers you could be very comfortable around. He was really lovable, really funny, chilled out.”