An OAP who was cleared of murder and manslaughter charges today following a violent “road rage” confrontation which ended in the death of the victim, said as he left court: "I didn't mean to kill him."

Odysseas Vafiadis, from Gerrards Cross, said he was provoked by his victim and insisted he never wanted to have a fight, as he recounted the moment he fought with pedestrian Paul Davidson.

The pensioner was driving his grandson home from Chalfont Leisure Centre when he had to stop his white Skoda Yeti close to a zebra crossing in Market Square, Chalfont St Peter, to allow Mr Davidson to walk across.

Mr Vafiadis claimed Mr Davidson then walked back and forth across the crossing several times while hurling abuse at him, which prompted the defendant to step out and confront him.

The pair exchanged words in an altercation before grey-haired Mr Vafiadis starting throwing punches and kicks at Mr Davidson's face, arm and back, fracturing four ribs which led to his death, the jury was told.

The pensioner today burst into tears as he was cleared of Mr Davidson's killing, later saying he was angry that he had had to endure a trial.

Speaking after the two-week hearing at Reading Crown Court ended, the 70-year-old said he was looking forward to spending some quality time with his family, adding: "I am relieved, but I'm still very angry that it went this far.

Bucks Free Press:

"It has been a nightmare for nearly a year. I think it is so unfair because I don't lie, I tell the truth.

“I'm so pleased for my family because the grand kids can stay with us, because they lost their mother in 2009. And it is a relief for my son because he's only a postman and he can get on with his job.”

"You must believe I was telling the truth, you must believe that it's so important," he said as he walked down the court steps a free man.

"You think you're going to get out of the car to have a fight but not at my age. I don't want that as an excuse, I thought he wasn't a young man but I thought he was old enough to realise that you've got your grandson in there, saying more or less 'stick up for yourself.'

“He went backwards and forwards over that crossing so many times, I let the window down and I thought I had it under control.

"I didn't want to get out, I went out to approach him and say what's going on? He's gone for me and it all happened so quickly.”

Doctors did not diagnose Mr Davidson with any broken bones on the first examination of his body but he died days later shortly after his partner noticed severe bruising on his back.

Mr Vafiadis added: "I'm so sorry for his family, I really am, I didn't want him to die.”

Mr Vafiadis was charged with a single count of manslaughter and one count of murder after he was arrested on the day of the attack in November 2015.

The pensioner thanked the jury as the foreman returned a verdict of "not guilty."