A man accused of acting as the "getaway driver" in a street robbery has been found not guilty.

Peter Banks, 64, was alleged to have driven away a man who has already admitted mugging a woman close to Whitehaven's Tesco superstore on January 9.

Mr Banks denied a robbery charge and went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court this week.

In evidence, he said he knew nothing about the crime.

Mr Banks said he did not know the man who got into his car and had not committed any offence. He insisted that he believed he was providing transport for an innocent shopping trip.

At the crown court today, a jury of 10 women and two men acquitted Mr Banks, of Harrington, Workington, on a majority verdict.

He was immediately released from the dock and allowed to leave the court building.