Director is cleared of causing GBH with Bentley

A COMPANY director who accidentally knocked down his mother and a former friend with his Bentley has been cleared of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Arron Honzik was left paralysed from the waist down after he was pinned under the luxury car outside businessman Andrew Platts’s gated home.

Mr Platts, 42, of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, said he panicked and knocked down 6ft 4in Mr Honzik after receiving threats over the phone and by text.

The pair had fallen out over a Facebook post, jurors were told.

Mr Platts was surprised to find his former friend waiting for him outside his property when he returned home from work with his two children in the back of his car.

He told the jury he manoeuvred his vehicle to block Mr Honzik from approaching his car door, accidentally knocked down his own mother, and then ran over the powerfully built younger man.

The 25-year-old suffered multiple broken bones and uses a wheelchair following the accident in October 2016.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court cleared Mr Platts of the offence after deliberating for three hours and 40 minutes.

The businessman’s supporters cried out in joy when the jury foreman returned the “not guilty” verdict.

Mr Platts wept in the dock before hugging family members.

Earlier the court heard Mr Platts wept in the dock as he recalled getting his children out of the car before he realised the car had struck Mr Honzik.

Mr Platts declined to comment after being cleared.