A MAN who knocked over and killed a Leominster toddler while riding a scrambler bike along a road has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.

Two-year-old Blake Woodhouse-Nicholson died after the collision with the bike being ridden by Stephen Jones in March.

A jury at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court today cleared Jones, 24, of causing death by dangerous driving but found him guilty of an alternative charge of driving without due care and attention.

He had earlier admitted driving while disqualified.

The court heard how Blake was at an ice cream van in Mountain Ash, south Wales, moments before the accident happened.

The prosecution had claimed that Jones had been driving the bike too fast along the street.

Tragic loss

But Jones, formerly of Park Street, Penrhiwceiber, said he was driving at a reasonable speed and that Blake had run out into the road.

Witnesses told the jury how the little boy had been thrown in the air like a rag doll.

Members of Blake's family were led from the court in tears as the verdict was announced.

Judge Eleri Rees told Jones: "The jury has found you not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, but they have found you guilty of careless driving.

"The end result is the same - a child has lost his life.

"No punishment can ever reflect that tragic loss to the family. You have to bear that in mind for the rest of your life."

Jones was jailed for six months for driving while disqualified and banned from driving for two years.

There was no separate penalty for driving without due care and attention.