A MAN has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a young father by dangerous driving.

Craig Keeler, 30, is accused of killing Lenny Deugo following a car crash in County Durham in October 2017.

Mr Deugo, a 26-year-old father-of-one affectionately known as “Big Lenny”, died at the scene of the crash on the A692 Genesis Way where he had been driving his MG ZR that collided with a van.

Mr Keller, of Alder Grove, in Consett, appeared in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and possession of cannabis.

The court heard he had been driving a black Vauxhall Insignia at the time and was arrested a day after the incident.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the short hearing.

Mr Keller will next appear at Durham Crown Court in late September.

He was granted unconditional bail by magistrates ahead of his next court appearance.