A front-seat passenger who survived a car crash that killed two friends has been cleared of aggravated vehicle taking.

Wasim Shah, 23, of Mile Road in Bedford, was in an Audi A3 - stolen from Stevenage Leisure Park - and became involved in a police chase when its driver, Michael Cush, of Luke Place in Bedford, crashed into a lamppost in Woolmer Green.

The incident, which took place in November 2012, left two other passengers, Cameron Nimmo, 20, and Karl Spencer, 25, dead as a result of their injuries.

Cush was sentenced to eight years in prison in February 2013, having pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one of aggravated vehicle taking.

Mr Shah was found not guilty of the second charge at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Monday).