Oladotum Poopoola, formerly of Connaught Road, Seaford, but now of St Leonards, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after his Vauxhall Astra collided with a motorbike being riden by David Coppenhall on September 20 last year on the A26 at Tarring Neville.

The 32-year-old, who pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was at Lewes Crown Court last week for a three day trial.

Members of the jury heard that 42-year-old Mr Coppenhall, from Arundel Road, Newhaven, was killed instantly in the crash.

The married father-of three, whose family sat in the back of court during the trial, was a worshipper at the Crossway Methodist Church in Steyne Road, Seaford.

Rufus Stilgoe, prosecuting, said Poopoola was driving his automatic car in the opposite direction to Mr Coppenhall and lost control as the car in front slowed and indicated to pull into a layby.

He said the defendant skidded across the road and collided with the special constable and told the jury they would have to consider whether the defendant had used his handbrake to try to slow down his vehicle and that caused him to lose control.

The court heard that the Australian couple travelling infront of Poopoola, Kelvin and Vicki Gowans, had indictated to stop in a layby but realised it was too full and then carried on before stopping again.

Poopoola, a mental health nursing assistant, told the court he was travelling at around 50-55mph and within the speed limit.

He told the court Mr Gowans had been driving erratically in the lead up to the accident and had stopped in the carriageway moments before the collision without indicating.

He insisted he did not use his handbrake during the incident.

He was described by his partner in a written statement as a 'good man' whom she had never known to speed or use his phone while driving.

Another family member said he was a careful and considerate driver and referred to him as a 'gentle giant'.

Following the judge's summing up on Thursday the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.