A PENSIONER, killed by a trucker's dangerous driving, was taking Viagra and had a prostitute in his car at the time of the crash, a court was told yesterday.

The disclosure came towards the end of the trial of lorry driver Anthony Jackson.

The 41-year-old was found guilty at York Crown Court of causing the death of Ronald Dakin, 73, by dangerous driving on the A64 at Copmanthorpe, near York, in September 2000.

Defence barrister David Bradshaw said he and prosecutor Peter Moulson agreed to make the admission public because the 27-year-old prostitute Liza Thompson, from Bradford, had failed to turn up to give vital evidence in the trial, despite a summons.

Jackson, of Acomb Road, York, elected not to give evidence and Mr Bradshaw said Miss Thompson, who was the front seat passenger in BMW car driven by Mr Dakin when it hit the accused's lorry as he made a U-turn, was the only eye witness.

Mr Moulson said the prostitute had been driven by Mr Dakin to his home every week for two-and-a-half years.

Mr Dakin, of Lingholme Lane, Lebberston, near Scarborough, was not wearing a seat belt and died of a ruptured spleen.

Mr Bradshaw told the jury: "I don't want to be indelicate but I must pose the question as to whether Mr Dakin might have been diverting his attention to his passenger and not paying full attention to his driving immediately before the impact."

Mr Bradshaw said other agreed admissions showed that Mr Dakin was taking prescribed Viagra.

It took the jury two hours to convict Jackson, who will be sentenced in a month following the preparation of reports.