A man who caused a fatal crash in Bridport then fled from the scene and lied to the police has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Gary Craven, 32, was also found guilty of causing serious injury to his three passengers.

Steve Spear, 64, died in a crash on the A35 Sea Road South on November 13, 2017, after his Mitsubishi pick-up truck was hit by a speeding silver Mercedes convertible driven by Craven.

Craven, of Crock Lane in Bridport, denied the charges in a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

During the trial, prosecutor Jane Rowley said Craven had been ‘showing off’ his new car and speeding along a 40mph stretch of road moments before the crash. His speed was said to have been between 67mph and 73mph.

She argued that he may have been drunk at the time of the crash, having drank three pints of cider and a Jägerbomb before he got behind the wheel.

Craven fled the scene after the crash and was later arrested at home. He initially denied involvement.

Summing up the case for the prosecution last week, Ms Rowley said: “Craven wasn’t interested in assessing the risks to others because he didn’t care about others.”

She claimed that because he fled the scene and was breathalysed four hours after the crash this explained why his reading of 19 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath was below the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Despite initially lying to police officers saying he had been at home all evening, Craven later told the truth in his police interview.

He had left Mr Spear and his injured friends in the back of his car because he was 'scared' and 'frightened, he said.

Though Craven denied guilt, he made a tearful apology to the family of Mr Spear in court last week and said he was 'sorry' and that he 'never intended to hurt anyone'.

The jury resumed deliberations today after being sent home for the weekend on Friday.

Judge Brian Forster QC said: "The defendant is in a very serious position and must expect a custodial sentence."

Craven will be sentenced at a later date and has been made subject to bail requirements.

The officer in charge of the case, PC Jay Griffin of Dorset Police's serious collision team, said: "The police have worked very hard on this case. Sadly the circumstances were tragic. Our thoughts go out to the family.

"We are happy with the verdict and are confident the jury came to the right decision. As traffic officers it is our duty to investigate serious collisions like this. Today's result demonstrates the hard work we go into for the families and people involved."

Craven will be sentenced on January 20.