A MOTORCYCLIST has walked free from court after he was found not guilty of causing the death of a man by dangerous driving.
The jury in the trial of Jeffrey Dowson, at Teesside Crown Court, took just under 90 minutes to return a unanimous verdict. Mr Dowson, 23, of Oxford Road, Hartlepool, was riding a Yamaha motorbike in Kingsley Avenue, in the town, when he crashed into a wall and hit a parked vehicle.
A pillion passenger, forklift truck driver Martin Mulcahy, 22, of Ilkley Grove, Hartlepool, died in the accident, on June 12, last year.
Neither was wearing a crash helmet, and the bike's front brakes were faulty.
Mr Dowson, who is on crutches, was told by Judge Les Spittle that he was free to go.
The judge said other matters faced by Mr Dowson, including charges of having no insurance, driving licence or appropriate safety clothing, will be remitted to magistrates, although it is likely no evidence will be offered on some or all of them.
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