A driver from Radlett responsible for the death of a motorcyclist after they collided last year wishes she had never survived the “tragic accident”.

Slavika Mileva, 31, of Oakridge Avenue in Radlett appeared in St Albans Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Friday, November 27) to be sentenced for the death by careless driving of Joe Paul on Thursday, June 10 2014.

At 6.50pm that day, Mileva was driving a black Mercedes SLK convertible, with the roof down, about to turn out of Aldenham Wood Lodge in Watling Street.

Judge Andrew Bright QC heard that Mr Paul was on the way to meet his parents for a family meal, travelling along Watling Street on his red Honda motorcycle, when Mileva pulled out into the middle of the road to turn right - the two collided.

He said: “Although Joe Paul took immediate action slamming on his breaks, he was unable to avoid the collision.

“He collided with Mileva who had the hood down on her convertible and he was catapulted into the front of the car.

“He suffered trauma injuries from the impact.”

Immediately after the crash, a fire started due to Mr Paul’s motorcycle’s petrol tank rupturing.

Petrol sprayed onto Mileva and Mr Paul and ignited.

John Moore, from Watford, was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta driving behind Mr Paul on Watling Street after he safely overtook them.

After witnessing the incident, Mr Moore stopped to help. He first pulled Mr Paul out of the car and then Mileva.

He was taken to hospital soon after for burns he suffered to his face and hands.

Mileva suffered “life threatening burns” to her face, neck and arms.

Mr Paul was pronounced dead at the scene and is said to have suffered multiple traumatic injuries.

The 27-year-old, who had a degree in mechanical engineering from Leeds University, worked for Transport for London and was aiming to become a chartered engineer.

Mileva pleaded guilty his death by carless driving on October 9 this year.

Prosecutor Collin Banham said: “It’s had a devastating impact on all his family – the impact on his parents and brother will be everlasting.

“Their lives were changed for the worst and diminished on that day.

“When a child pre deceases the parents that is a very difficult thing.

“They miss him more and more each day, since it gets longer since they last saw him.

“This careless act has robbed him of his hope and ambition – he had so much more to give.”

He added the family were overwhelmed with indebtedness to the two people who came in the car behind, staying with Mr Paul and pulling him out of the burning vehicle, allowing them to see his face one last time.

Mileva, originally from Macedonia and a property broker, had been driving in the UK for eight years with an unblemished licence.

Before the incident, she described herself as a “proud, driven, successful, confident and active” individual.

But as her burns were so severe she will now have to undergo operations and plastic surgery for the next five years to help her disfigurement.

In a letter to Judge Bright, Mileva wrote: “Not a day goes by that I haven’t thought about how this happened.

“I wondered how it would be if I was dead and he was alive. I wished I hadn’t survived this tragic accident.

“I will have to live with it for the rest of my life. Nothing can be worse and nothing can take that pain away.”

Having read the medical reports, Judge Bright said it was quite clear the injuries have had a “catastrophic” effect on her life – physical and psychological.

Unable to work due to her injuries, Mileva has also been struggling financially.

Drawing to his conclusion, Judge Bright said: “The case falls into the lowest category of seriousness – its death by careless driving rather than death by dangerous driving.

“It’s not a case of you being on your phone – an aggravating factor – or having had a drink or illicit drugs – none of those factors apply here.

“There’s no explanation as to why you didn’t see Mr Paul’s motorcycle – I can’t fathom that.

“You missed seeing him as you pulled out of that driveway.”

Mileva was given conditional discharge for two years and has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.

She will also pay £1,200 in prosecution costs plus victim surcharge.

Judge Bright added: “A community order would not be appropriate. You’ve suffered enough already and will continue to suffer for the rest of your life.

“You are reminded day in, day out, about how those burn injuries were caused, the family’s suffering and your own, as a result.

“My greatest sympathy lies with the family for their loss and Miss Mileva for the injuries you have been suffering.”