Uber driver is cleared of murdering vomiting passenger but convicted of causing his death by dangerous driving in Essex

Michael Ashton, 28, had gone inside to fetch baby wipes to clean the vomit off the back seat when Hayadulla Turkmani's Toyota Prius ran him over in Rosecroft Close, Langdon Hills. A neighbour told Basildon Crown Court the car dragged him under, then reversed and struck him again. Spectators shouted 'No! No!' as Turkmani, 53, was cleared of murder and manslaughter, and he will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Ashton, a Barking and Dagenham Council worker, died eight days later without regaining consciousness.

Turkmani admitted swearing at Ashton but said he was 'panicking and frightened'.

Judge Samantha Cohen twice told the distraught public gallery to be quiet or leave.