It happens again and again and again. Juries seem to be hugely reluctant to convict motorists of any offence that establishes any culpability for causing death. This is despite the creation of new offences that were supposed to plug the gaps that forced the CPS to prosecute on lesser charges as the likes of manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving were perceived by juries as carrying too harsh a penalty. This has led to several cases where juries have refused to find drivers guilty of causing death by careless driving but then found them guilty of a reduced charge of careless driving. This despite the only fact being relevant as to which offence was committed being whether their victim is dead or not. It is perverse.
In this case, after the presentation of the prosecution evidence, the defendant had little choice but to retract his previous statement and pretty much admit and apologise for his direct, illegal action causing the death of Sam Harding. The jury still found him not guilty.