A YOUNG motorist has denied causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving.

Wayne Richard Gascoigne was at the wheel of a BMW 330 car which was in collision with a Honda CBR motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction on the A68, in County Durham.

Mr Gascoigne was said to have been travelling in a southbound direction when the collision took place during an overtaking manoeuvre on an undulating stretch of the trunk road, between Consett and Tow Law.

Honda rider Shaun (Dave) Neal, who was heading northwards, was thrown from his machine in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly after the accident, at about 1.40pm on Saturday September 2, last year.

Mr Gascoigne was arrested at the scene and the road was closed for six hours while collision investigation work was carried out by police.

Mr Neal, a 46-year-old ex-serviceman, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, was subsequently described as, “a gentle giant” in a statement from his widow issued by police.

He was said to have given 24-years’ service in the Army, with the First Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.

Members of both Mr Neal’s family and those of the defendant, who is 24 and of Front Street, Wolsingham, in Weardale, were in court for the plea hearing in the case.

Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, Judge Christopher Prince set the timetable for a forthcoming trial in the case.

He was told motoring expert reports have been prepared by both defence and prosecution sides in the case.

Judge Prince said the experts should, “put their heads together” and prepare a joint statement by October 1, three weeks ahead of the scheduled trial.

He asked prosecuting counsel, Robin Turton, to have his opening outline prepared and handed to the court by October 8, to allow the defence expert to have time to see how the case is to be presented at trial.

Judge Prince adjourned the hearing for a trial of three to four days, over which he will preside, at the court, scheduled to start on October 22.