A lorry driver who mowed down and killed a cyclist before throwing the bicycle away and driving off has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

A jury took eight hours to find driver Andrew Wayne Stubbs, 41, from Bicester, guilty of the charge and of careless driving. He was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

During the trial the court heard that cyclist Anthony Spink, 41, was banging on the front of the cab to get the driver's attention before being dragged under and killed on July 18, 2007.

The talented musician and artist, who was about to begin a cycling holiday to Ireland when the accident happened near Wakefield city centre, died from multiple injuries.

Speaking after the verdict Mr Spink's family spoke of their mixed emotions toward the jury's finding.

Mr Spink's family slammed Stubbs who claimed in his defence that Mr Spink had been cycling irresponsibly the day he died.

His brother Andrew added: “We are all utterly devastated by his loss and while Stubbs faces a relatively short time in prison we turn to face the rest of our lives with the permanent pain of Tony's loss. He is irreplaceable.

“He was not an aggressive risk taking cyclist. Stubbs displayed total contempt for the life of a fellow human being."

Judge Penelope Belcher adjourned sentencing until after October 6 but warned Stubbs a custodial sentence was "inevitable".