A Dundee bus driver wept in the dock after being cleared of causing the death of an elderly Arbroath woman by driving carelessly.
William Faulds (45), of Fintry Drive, burst into tears and hugged his equally emotional wife Angela after Sheriff George Way told the National Express driver he had been formally found not guilty and was free to leave the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The move came after defence advocate Graeme Middleton put forward a submission of no case to answer following the conclusion of the Crown evidence.
Wednesday’s verdict followed three days of evidence during which crash investigator PC Aileen Walker (48) of Tayside Police admitted to Mr Middleton she could not say any failure to stop by Mr Faulds in this case was careless.
She also conceded any another driver might have hit Ruth Young, who was 81.
Sheriff Way said that following Mr Middleton’s submission and depute fiscal Douglas Wiseman’s response both of which were heard outwith the presence of the eight men and seven women of the jury he was ”not satisfied there is a case to answer”.
He added: ”Accordingly, you are acquitted.”
Mr Faulds bowed his head and was visibly stunned. Once the jury returned, the sheriff told the members of his decision and turned to the accused, telling him: ”You are not guilty and are free to go.”
The bus driver, who it is understood has been suspended on full pay since the incident in February 2011, declined to comment as he, his wife and sister left the court.
But National Express communications manager Jack Kelly said after the verdict: ”We note the court’s decision of today and once again our condolences go to the family and friends of Ruth Young.”
Asked whether Mr Faulds would now be free to return to his job Mr Kelly replied: ”We do not discuss personal conversations we have with individual members of staff.”
Mr Faulds had denied causing Mrs Young’s death on February 10 last year by driving carelessly or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or public place, failing to see the pedestrian and colliding with her.
The 81-year-old was injured in the Seagate accident and died in Ninewells hospital the same day.
During the trial, witnesses said they saw Mrs Young running across the road and into the path of the bus. It was estimated she was running at more than 5mph, the court was told.
One witness, a passenger on the number 22 bus, said she saw the windscreen shattering and thought at first it had been struck by a stone.
It was only when she opened the door and looked out that she saw the elderly woman lying under the bus.
Following the incident, Mrs Young, of Duncan Avenue, was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Ninewells Hospital.
She died at the hospital later the same evening.