But amid the emotional scenes, two silent victims of the 2012 crash that killed 10-year-old Nick Dennis trudged from the courthouse with their heads bowed.

Retired Tamworth couple Len and Lea Truman were travelling in an oncoming vehicle when Mr Dennis had a sneezing fit and veered onto the wrong side of the New England Highway near Tintinhull in February 2012.

Mrs Truman was nearly killed and suffered numerous fractures.

The Trumans say they are the forgotten victims of the tragic accident; their lives changed irrevocably.

“I just remember the car veering straight towards us and I said to myself, ‘Truey, we’re in real trouble here’,” Mr Truman said.

“I remember being smashed into the gully and Lea was really struggling. It really was a near-death experience.”

Mrs Truman is making a painstaking recovery, undergoing twice-weekly sessions at Rural Fit and forced to sacrifice many of her former pursuits.

“I used to go for walks seven times a week, play tennis and volunteer at the tourist information centre,” she said.

“But I can’t do that anymore.

“I’ve got plates and screws everywhere and when I see a Kombi van out on the highway I get freaked out.”

Mr Truman said he was bitterly disappointed with the jury’s decision to acquit Mr Dennis of dangerous driving.

“I thought it was a terrible decision,” he said.

“I feel very sorry for the loss of his boy, of course I do.

“But he still came across the highway and nearly killed my wife.”