A BIN lorry driver who reversed into a telegraph pole which fell and killed a colleague has been found not guilty of causing death through careless driving.

The jury at Leeds Crown Court took only 35 minutes yesterday to return its verdict in the case of 51-year-old Ronald Fieldhouse, of Grange Avenue, Tadcaster.

Mr Fieldhouse, who was visibly relieved at the decision, was working for Leeds City Council as a bin lorry driver on April 19 last year when he reversed on to the footpath in Beeston Park Terrace.

While manoeuvring, his lorry hit a telegraph pole which fell down and struck colleague David Nelson, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Nelson, 56, was working as a banksman, whose job was to throw rubbish into the back of the truck and to help guide the vehicle as it reversed down the road. The jury was told the cab of the truck was fitted with a monitor which showed the reversing area of the vehicle.

Mr Fieldhouse, who previously worked for Selby District Council and had been a refuse collector all his working life, argued the road was often “choc-a-bloc” with parked cars because of parents taking children to a nearby school. He told the jury in an “ideal world” the truck would not have to drive on to the pavement as part of the reversing process, but the manoeuvre was often “forced upon” the refuse team.

Mr Fieldhouse is still employed by Leeds City Council who declined to comment on any further action regarding his job.