Christopher Sims (23) from Rectory Road, Duckmanton, burst into tears outside Derby Crown Court after the not guilty verdict was announced on Tuesday.

Mr Sims had denied causing the death of 17-year-old Jessica Iddon, from Darley Dale, by dangerous driving.

The jury had heard how Mr Sims was driving his Vauxhall Corsa on the B5057 Darley Road, at Stone Edge, on June 1 last year with former girlfriend Jessica as a passenger when the vehicle was involved in the crash with a 4x4 carrying a couple and two children.

During the seven-day trial, James Hett, prosecuting, had alleged: "It is the Crown's case he deliberately drove on the wrong side of the road in anger, in rage and in pique."

But Mr Sims, who suffered head injuries in the accident, said that Jessica had grabbed the wheel just before the collision and pulled the vehicle to the left. He had moved the wheel to the right because he thought they were going to collide with a wall.

Jessica was taken to hospital after the crash where she was pronounced dead.

Mr Sims was awarded £150 in costs after the verdict was given. His family declined to comment after the hearing.

A police spokesman said that the family of Jessica, who was a Sainsbury's store employee at Matlock, were too distressed to comment.