A lorry driver who caused the death of another driver by careless driving has been jailed for a year.

Nigel Stevens, 55, was cleared by a jury of causing David Mitchell's death by dangerous driving but he had admitted the lesser charge at an earlier hearing.

The court was told that the tragedy happened on November 6, 2016, as Stevens attempted to reverse his wagon into a farm entrance near his home at Greenrigg Cottages on the B5305.

At the time, his truck's trailer was across both sides of the carriageway.

Mr Mitchell, 53, from Waverton, suffered fatal head injuries as his van collided with the trailer. The crash happened in darkness, the court heard.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Judge Peter Hughes QC heard a statement from the dead man's mother, in which she had spoken of how hard it was to continue living without her son.

Stevens had no previous convictions, the court heard.

He had expressed remorse for his offence.

A respectable hard-working man, he had enjoyed his job. But he had now resigned and was working as a delivery driver's mate, earning minimum wage.

As he passed sentence, Judge Hughes said: “There is no evidence of excessive speed on Mr Mitchell's behalf.

“The simple fact is that he didn't see the trailer in time to take avoiding action.

“We have no evidence as to the manner of Mr Mitchell's driving.”

As well as the jail term, the judge imposed a driving ban of two and a half years on the defendant, who will have to take an extended retest.

Stevens was unanimously acquitted by a jury of the dangerous driving allegation.

During the trial, the defendant spoke of his "deep sorrow" for Mr Mitchell and his loved ones, addressing the van driver's partner directly as she sat in the public gallery.

"I do feel sorry for you," Stevens said.

Stevens also revealed he had given up HGV driving since the crash.

"I have stopped," he confirmed during evidence. "It has broken my heart to do that. It has broken my heart to come out of what I have done all my life."