A BUS driver has appeared in court accused of killing a passenger who died following a fall after boarding his vehicle.

James Brown did not enter a plea during the brief hearing, but a date was set for a likely three-day trial from May 28 next year.

Dorothy McLaren, 88, died in hospital from head injuries three days after the incident onboard a Stagecoach bus on Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, in January.

The great-grandmother was described by her family as a “lovely and loving lady” who enjoyed days out and singing along to Songs of Praise.

Mr Brown, 45, of Torcross Close, indicated at an appearance before magistrates last month that he would be pleading not guilty to causing death by careless driving.

During a hearing at Teesside Crown Court, it emerged that defence lawyers plan to make an application to have the charge dismissed.

Following the tragedy, Mrs McLaren’s family paid tribute to the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who married husband Robert, known as Tony, on Valentine’s Day in 1953. He died in 2015.

Mr Brown was granted bail until February 11 when the application to dismiss will be heard.