Lorry driver cleared of M20 deaths

Gordon escaped a driving ban but had three points put on his licence

A lorry driver has been cleared of causing the deaths of two women in a motorway crash.

But a judge at Maidstone Crown Court convicted Michael Gordon of two alternative charges of careless driving over the accident which happened on 1 August last year.

The 37-year-old had denied causing the deaths of Shirley Deacon, 49, from St Margaret's at Cliffe and 50-year-old Iris Guy, from new Romney, on the M20 at Farningham.

The court heard the two women were travelling in two separate cars in different directions when the accident happened.

Nothing will bring back the lives of these two ladies Judge Anthony Balston

Gordon was driving a 40-ton truck and was overtaking a Metro in the slow lane, the jury was told.

The prosecution alleged Gordon indicated and pulled out into the middle lane in one manoeuvre and other motorists had to take evasive actions.

Mrs Deacon's car, which was travelling in the fast lane, struck the central reservation, flipped into the air and landed on top of the vehicle Mrs Guy was in on the other side of the motorway.

Gordon, of St Kilda Road, Ealing, London, was fined £125 for each charge with £250 costs.

No ban was imposed and his licence was endorsed with three points.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Anthony Balston, said: "This procedure is not in any way intended to show what compensation is due to anybody.

"Nothing will bring back the lives of these two ladies and that is something to be determined elsewhere."

Gordon said he was an experienced driver of large vehicles and only had one conviction for crossing a red light.