A driver has been found not guilty of causing death by careless driving.

David Witney was trying to turn right from a cul-de-sac when he realised he could not see past a parked car.

In a bid to get a better view of Beckingham Road, Tolleshunt D’arcy, he crept out of the junction, the court was told.

But when a van emerged on his left, his attention turned to it and he slowed down.

Seconds later his car collided with Thomas Payne’s Mazda, which had come from the right.

Mr Payne (pictured) died from his injuries.

Witney told Chelmsford Crown Court: “There was nothing I could have done different to prevent what happened.”

The court also heard welder Witney’s usual route from his home in Festival Gardens, Tolleshunt D’Arcy to work in South Woodham Ferrers would see him turn left in Beckingham Road.

But on the morning of October 14, 2013, despite admitting the junction made it very difficult, he planned to turn right.

He added: “I stopped behind the give way lines and noticed the car parked on the right-hand side.

“The parked car meant I couldn’t see up the road.”

He added: “I was creeping forward. I was looking to the right leaning as far forward as I could to help me get a better view.”

Father-of-two Witney admitted he “did not see the Mazda” coming before the two cars collided.

Witney, 24, was found not guilty by a jury.