A DRIVER has been cleared by a jury of responsibility for the death of a motorcyclist in a mid Wales smash.

David Pugh, from Llanidloes, was also found not guilty by a jury at Mold Crown Court, of taking a courtesy car - said to have been provided for his mother - without consent. 

Pugh, 32 and of of Victoria Avenue, denied causing the death of Stephen Elsdon, 46, from Shrewsbury, by dangerous driving on the A470 at Dolwen, near Llanidloes on August 6 last year. 

The jury in his trial - which started last week - were told Mr Elsdon and his girlfriend, who was on another motorcycle, were travelling to a hotel in Pembrokeshire when the tragedy happened.

OTHER NEWS:

Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel said that the couple came across slower-moving traffic just outside Newtown, and Lauren Prall told her partner to go ahead and she would catch up. 

“It was the last time she saw him,” the barrister said. Miss Prall came across the aftermath of the smash and was told to take a detour. 

Mr ap Mihangel said she rode on to Aberystwyth before she learned what had happened.

The tragedy occurred when a BMW car came across a van which was turning left, the jury heard. Mr Pugh, who was represented by barrister Dafydd Roberts, had braked but the bike collided with the back of the car.