Lorry driver Stanley Frankland broke down in tears when an Old Bailey jury cleared him of murdering his rival in a “love triangle”.
Thomas Tedore, 62, was found stabbed to death in his burnt-out cab in Pembroke Street, off Caledonian Road, in September 1985.
Both men were in love with Dorothy Nash, 46, who worked at Ringcross School, Holloway. Mr Tedore was living with her in Pembroke Street.
But Mr Frankland, 59, took her on secret dates and whisked her away abroad. Ms Nash was said to be “desperately unhappy” with Mr Tedore.
Mr Frankland, of Wimbledon, waited to “have it out” with Mr Tedore, who lunged at him with a carpenter’s bradawl from his cab. The men struggled over the weapon and Mr Tedore was struck three times.
Speaking to the jury, Mr Frankland said: “I never intended he should die. I wasn’t even aware the bradawl went into his body. It all went terribly wrong.”
Mr Frankland, panicking, set the car alight with Mr Tedore’s body inside. The jury ruled self-defence.
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