A driver has walked free after he was cleared of causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving.

Michael Jones had admitted the lesser offence of careless driving and was fined 500. He was banned from driving for a year.

A judge said the 46-year-old had an impeccable record and it was a serious lapse which led to the death of Lloyd Haines.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Jones failed to give way in his Ford Focus C-Max at the junction of Watling Street and Elaine Avenue, Strood and collided with the Yamaha motorcycle, which was travelling at more than 60mph in a 40mph residential zone.

Robin Johnson, prosecuting, said Jones turned into the path of the motorcycle, which had right of way.

Mr Haines, who grew up in Dartford and was living in Rochester High Street with his fiancee, was killed instantly.

Jones, of Ash Road, Dartford, denied causing death by dangerous driving, claiming he did not see the motorcycle coming in the other direction.

The jury of seven women and five men took just over 30 minutes to return a verdict on Friday.

Summing up Judge David Caddick said: "It was in a sense a momentary lapse for a man of 46 with an impeccable previous record."

"But the fact remains it was a serious lapse, producing a significant risk of harm to road users.

"In fact, such danger came to pass in the form of the death of the motorcyclist, and the ensuing tragedy for him and his family and a tragedy for you."