A woman has been cleared of killing her boyfriend when he fell off her car during an argument.

Vincent Wilson had ended up on the roof of Victoria Catlin’s Rover 414 outside her home in Grain High Street on June 16 last year.

The prosecution said he had “flown off” as 31-year-old Miss Catlin braked twice. He suffered head injuries and died soon afterwards.

Miss Catlin, who was over the drink-drive limit, denied manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving.

At the end of the prosecution case, defence QC Nicholas Valios successfully submitted the evidence was not sufficient to “properly found the charges”.

Mr Justice Akenhead told the jury: “After a lot of argument and not a little soul searching, I formed the view that on the evidence, as it has come out, you will have to return verdicts of not guilty to both these counts.”

Referring to the death by dangerous driving charge, Mr Justice Akenhead said quite a lot of people might in the heat of the moment have “driven a little bit” if put in the position of having somebody on their car.

“One feels immense sympathy for the victim’s family, because whatever happened they have lost a son,” said the judge.

He told Miss Catlin: “You are acquitted. You are free to go. I am sure this will live with you for the rest of your life.”