A MAN has appeared in court charged with causing death by careless driving after a father-of-three was struck by a taxi on New Year’s Eve.

Keith Young, 60, of Walker Drive, in Bishop Auckland, made no plea during a short hearing before magistrates on Thursday morning over the death of Leslie Hebdon.

My Hebdon was on Front Street, in Tudhoe, near Spennymoor, when he was hit by a white Nissan Qashqai at around 11.30pm on December 31, 2016.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that taxi driver Mr Young had dropped off a fare at the Gala Theatre in Durham and was travelling up the bank towards Spennymoor on its way back to the taxi office in Bishop Auckland.

Mr Hebdon’s family sat in the gallery during the five-minute hearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court and Mr Young was also supported by family.

John Turner, representing Mr Young, told the court there had been a delay in paperwork arriving ahead of his client’s first court appearance and would therefore not be indicating a plea.

Mr Turner said: “It was indicated that it would be impossible to deal with the papers if they arrived late and they arrived yesterday.

“That’s the bulk of technical information of around 100 pages and I only received the video evidence at 9am this morning.

“Going through the papers at this stage is impossible to do it in any way.”

Dave Lee, prosecuting, addressed magistrates and asked that they decline jurisdiction to move the case to crown court.

Mr Young spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address.

District Judge Helen Cousins granted Mr Young unconditional bail and confirmed he would make his next court appearance at Durham Crown Court on January 9.

Durham Police closed the B6288 Front Street while the incident was cleared and confirmed it had reopened at around 6am.

Mr Hebdon’s family paid tribute to their relative who was described as “a beloved son, dad and brother”.

They added: “He is gone, but will never be forgotten.”