A DRIVER has been cleared of assaulting his estranged wife’s former partner and threatening to kill him.

But Christopher Devlin was found guilty of dangerous driving at Bolton Crown Court on Wednesday.

Devlin, aged 45, of Wigan Road, Westhoughton, had been married to Pearl Devlin for 21 years, but they separated last December and she moved to a house in Manchester Road, Burnden.

It was alleged that on July 18 Devlin drove at Ryan Stewart and clipped his shoulder, and later made threats to kill.

But Devlin told the jury that was not true, and that Mr Stewart threw an object at his windscreen, and caused him to drop a cigarette on to his lap and lose control.

Devlin said he hit a gatepost near where Mr Stewart and Mrs Devlin were walking and said the vehicle did not touch Mr Stewart and he did his utmost not to hit anyone.

He had denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threats to kill and dangerous driving.

The case has been adjourned until December 10 for sentencing.