A MOTORIST who denies causing an elderly pedestrian’s death by careless driving is to stand trial in July.

Doreen Campbell was hit by a car as she crossed Front Street, in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, on Wednesday, June 10, last year.

The 77-year-old, from Sacriston, suffered head injuries in the accident, outside the town’s Tesco store, and was taken, in a critical condition, to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where she died several days later.

Police, at the time, said the accident appeared to happen after a Renault Clio pulled out from a side junction, into the Front Street, as Mrs Campbell was crossing the road, near the store.

The Clio driver, Liam David Abbott, was subsequently charged with causing Mrs Chapman’s death by careless or inconsiderate driving, which he denied at a hearing at Durham Crown Court, in January.

Both the prosecution and defence sides in the case have sought road accident expert reports as to the manner of driving in the short period prior to the collision.

A further hearing took place at the court today (Thursday, May 12), when Judge Christopher Prince asked for the two experts to put their heads together to compile a report in which they outline the points on which they are in agreement, by June 14.

Judge Prince bailed the 23-year-old defendant, of Lingey Close, Sacriston, to return for the trial, on July 11.