Bus driver David Luck spared jail over Paul Siddoway death
A bus driver who was convicted of causing death by careless driving after a man was knocked under his coach in Middlesbrough has been spared jail.
Paul Siddoway followed the bus as it pulled away from Middlesbrough Bus Station on the evening of 24 October 2011, banging on the door.
The 40-year-old, from Darlington, fell under its wheels and died at the scene.
Driver David Luck, 59, was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Teesside Crown Court.
'Tragedy of timing'
The court heard Luck, of Bowes Court, Darlington, closed the doors and pulled away without Mr Siddoway, who was waiting at the bus station with his sick terrier dog wrapped in a blanket.
Mr Siddoway banged on the doors to try to get the driver to open them but he was struck by the wheels as the coach pulled away and died at the scene.
A jury cleared Luck of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Judge John Walford said a wing mirror on the Arriva X66 Middlesbrough to Darlington bus did not provide an adequate view along the nearside.
He described the incident as "a tragedy of timing".
Luck was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.