Lorry accident

The driver of a dustbin lorry has been fined £2,500 for careless driving after he was involved in a fatal collision with a pensioner.

Colin Bullard, 37, was cleared by a jury at Hove Crown Court in East Sussex of causing death by dangerous driving but found guilty of careless driving over the death of 61-year-old pedestrian Anne Smith, from Brighton.

Bullard, of Brighton, was given nine points on his driving license and ordered to pay a £2,500 fine, plus £500 costs.

Sergeant Peter Verney of Sussex Road Policing Unit said: "I accept this decision by the jury and the subsequent sentence imposed by the trial judge.

"As ever, our foremost thoughts and sympathies are with Anne Smith's family, who have carried themselves with great dignity throughout this trial."

He added: "I hope this tragedy will serve as a reminder of the risks posed when operating such vehicles. In the last three years 30% of collisions resulting in death or serious injury within Sussex have involved people driving in the course of their employment.

"This percentage is unacceptable and Sussex Road Policing Unit are committed to reducing this figure.

"Drivers whose standard of driving falls below that expected of careful and competent drivers can expect to face the full force of the law and will be prosecuted."

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: This tragic road traffic accident highlights the risks posed to members of the public by those operating dustbin lorries.

"I would urge those responsible for the training of drivers of these sorts of vehicles to re-examine their training and systems of work in an effort to reduce future fatalities.

I regularly represent people who have been injured or killed in road crashes."