SAINTS legend Lawrie McMenemy has been cleared of causing an accident on a busy Hampshire road.

He was accused of careless or inconsiderate driving after his Mercedes collided with a lorry on the A36 at Totton last September.

He was alleged to have swerved in front of the lorry before braking violently, causing a collision.

But his nine-month ordeal ended at New Forest Magistrates' Court yesterday, when he was acquitted after a day-long trial.

The lorry driver involved in the incident was Anthony Gover, a director of BKG Transport.

He told the magistrates' court that he left the A326 at Totton and had just joined the A36 at Brooke's Hill when the accident happened.

"A black Mercedes suddenly flew past me at 60-70mph and then stopped on a sixpence as soon as it got in front of me," he said.

"There was smoke coming from his tyres where he braked so violently."

The accident was witnessed by Leon Haswell, who said: "A car caught my eye because it was approaching at speed and seemed to have crossed to the other side of the road.

"After the accident, two drivers started arguing about who was to blame. In my view, it was down to the man driving the Mercedes."

But Mr McMenemy, 64, of Church Lane, Braishfield, denied the charge - and accused the lorry driver of causing the accident.

He said the vehicle pulled out in front of him, forcing him to take evasive action.

"I had to decide whether to stop or overtake the lorry - and decided to overtake because the road ahead of me was clear.

"I decided to tell the driver his driving was out of order and signalled by tapping my brakes that I was going to stop. But he kept coming and got close enough to nudge my car. It was a deliberate act in my opinion. His attitude towards me was one of contempt. He called me an old man and said I shouldn't be on the road."

After the case, Mr McMenemy declined to comment on his acquittal.