A driver who mowed down a mother at speed and then drove off has been jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Alperin Ozcan, 24, of Burnt Oak Broadway, Burnt Oak, hit Danka Bevilagua as she got off a bus in West Hendon Broadway at 11.45pm on June 16, 2013.

He was found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday, and received a six year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. He also received an 18 month sentence for causing death by driving unlicensed, which is to run concurrently.

Married mother-of-one Mrs Bevilagua, 43, was trying to cross West Hendon Broadway, and began to run towards the kerb when she saw Ozcan's white Nissan Skyline approaching at speed.

Ozcan braked heavily and tried to avoid her but his car hit Mrs Bevilagua, throwing her about eight feet into the air.

He then drove off towards Cricklewood. Witnesses stated he was driving at high speed in a 30mph zone.

Mrs Bevilagua was taken to St Mary's Hospital in a critical condition. She died on September 22, 2013 from multiple and severe head injuries.

Ozcan handed himself in and was arrested at Colindale police station at 2.30am the morning after the collision after his brother persuaded him to.

He had abandoned his car in Layfield Road immediately after the incident.

Ozcan said in interview he was on his way to meet a friend in Enfield, and had bought the car a week before the collision.

There was substantial damage to the car, which had a smashed windscreen, dented bonnet and detached bumper.

The vehicle was insured but Ozcan had told his insurers the vehicle had not been modified in any way - when in fact it had been extensively modified to make it faster.

The prosecution said he had also failed to inform his insurance company he had moved house in an attempt to drive down his premium. His lies had made his insurance policy invalid.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Cheryl Frost, of the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Had Ozcan been complying with the 30mph speed limit he would have been able to stop before he hit Mrs Bevilagua.

"It is clear from the evidence he knew what he had done but, by his own admission, drove off without stopping to help. Thereby showing a totally lack of regard for the wellbeing of Mrs Bevilagua and only attended the police station at the insistence of his family.

“Ozcan pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court on the first day of the trial to causing death while having no insurance and causing death by careless driving. The prosecution continued with the trial for causing death by dangerous driving, convicted by a jury today."