A 48-year-old Shropshire lorry driver who caused the death of an elderly couple by careless driving has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Istvan Kotorman, of Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, was found not guilty by a jury of causing the deaths of Welshpool couple Kenneth and Daisy Davies by dangerous driving.

He had already admitted the lesser charge of causing their deaths by careless driving.

Mr Davies, 77, and his 79-year-old wife, died from their injuries sustained in a collision with Kotorman’s tipper lorry, near Llandrinio, on April 8.

At Mold Crown Court yesterday, Kotorman was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for one year. He was also given 200 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for one year.

Sentencing Kotorman, Judge John Rogers QC, said: “I am well aware that no punishment can begin to provide consolation for the family and friends of Mr and Mrs Davies. They were valued members of the community enjoying their richly deserved retirement.”

He added: “You approached the junction at about 20mph, indicated your intention to turn right, drove into the offside lane and at a speed of about five mph began to travel across the road. Inexplicably, you failed to note the approach of the Rover car driven by Mr Davies and the inevitable collision occurred.”

The judge added that Kotorman had already spent the equivalent of seven months in prison.

Mr Mark Roberts, for Kotorman, said his client took “full responsibility for his actions” and felt “huge shame”.

He added it was “very unlikely” Kotorman would keep his job and his career as a lorry driver would be over.