Teacher Rosemary Fenney died instantly of head and chest injuries

Trainee paramedic Ian Fitzgerald, from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was found guilty of the lesser charge of careless driving at Reading Crown Court on Monday.

He had denied killing 40-year-old Rosemary Fenney while answering an emergency call in Newbury, Berkshire, last October.

Fitzgerald had been "driving like a nutcase" in the moments before the crash, a witness had told the jury.

The 29-year-old, who was working for the Berkshire Ambulance Service, jumped a red light at an estimated 35mph before hitting the side of Ms Fenney's car.

The impact forced the school teacher's Peugeot 203 across the A4 London Road and into a lamp post.

Fitzgerald had qualified as an ambulance driver six months earlier

She died instantly from head and chest injuries.

Fitzgerald, who had qualified as an ambulance driver six months earlier, claimed he had only been in second gear, travelling no more than 20 to 25mph.

During his training, he was told to treat red lights like give-way signs and stop if necessary.

A jury of seven women and four men took just under two hours to return their verdict.

Fitzgerald stood impassively in court as Judge Christopher Compston told him careless driving was a serious offence.

He was released on bail until a sentencing hearing on 31 October, at which he faces a possible fine, driving disqualification or points on his licence.