A WEALTHY businessman whose boat killed a teenager in a freak accident has been cleared by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mark Tissiman was towing the GP14 dinghy in Bewdley when the mast came loose, swung out and smashed through the windscreen of an oncoming Rover saloon.

Sarah James, aged 19, was hit in the head by the 20ft mast which snapped off as the two cars passed each other.

She died from massive injuries two hours later after being airlifted to hospital.

The jury at Hereford Crown Court found 48-year-old Tissiman, of Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, guilty of an alternative charge of careless driving after retiring for just under two hours at the end of a four-day trial.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC banned the central heating firm boss from driving for six months and imposed a £1,500 fine with £135 costs.

Miss James, of Redstone Drive, Highley, had been to the cinema at Kidderminster with her friend Duncan Smith.

They were returning home along the B4194 Dowles Road on June 4 last year as Tissiman approached towing the boat behind his Range Rover Sport.

He and his wife had been taking part in a sailing competition at Chelmarsh reservoir near Bridgnorth.

Prosecutor Peter Arnold said the mast broke loose from its mooring and pierced the windscreen "like a lance in a medieval joust".

He said it had not been secured to the boat properly and listed a number of other alleged faults concerning the craft's trolley and trailer.

Mr Arnold said a driver was responsible for ensuring a towed load was safe on the road.

But he pointed out there was no evidence of bad driving and alcohol was not involved.

Tissiman, who became emotional when giving evidence, insisted he had secured the boat in the usual manner when he left the reservoir that night. His wife did not take the witness stand.

One expert told the court that a rope holding the mast in place may have come undone.

Mr Smith was unhurt in the accident, although glass from the shattered windscreen filled his mouth on impact. The broken-off mast lodged itself between him and the victim.