A MAN has appeared in court accused of causing a fatal accident on a city centre road at the weekend.

Pedestrian Dean Laing died following a collision involving a silver Vauxhall Astra car at the top of Claypath, near the Gilesgate roundabout in Durham, early on Saturday (NOV 10).

The 37-year-old is believed to have been walking home to Gilesgate after a night out in Durham when the accident took place, at about 2.30am.

He was found lying between two parked cars at the side of the road and was pronounced dead from head injuries.

The car was said to have driven away from the scene following the collision.

A 37-year-old man was arrested over the weekend.

Pantelimon Ovidiu Iordache (CORRECT) was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident.

He was brought before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, on Monday (NOV 12), when he was remanded in custody and the case was sent to Durham Crown Court.

Mr Iordache, a Romanian, living in South View, Bearpark, near Durham, made a short appearance at a preliminary hearing in the case at the crown court today (THURS NOV 15).

The charges were not put to him, but dates were agreed between prosecution and defence representatives for a plea hearing, early in the New Year, and a provisional trial, if needed, starting on Monday March 11.

David Callan, for Mr Iordache, made no bail application and Judge Paul Sloan adjourned the case, remanding the defendant back to custody, to return for the plea hearing on Monday, January 14.

Mr Laing, a keen boxer, cyclist and runner, lived with his father, David, in Gilesgate.

A roadside shrine has developed attached to railings near the scene of the accident since the weekend.