A MAN due to stand trial charged with causing the death of a 22-year-old motorcyclist by careless driving.

Daniel Meir died following a collision in Norton on the evening of Sunday, July 1, last year.

Tariq Bhatti, 62, will not stand trial until June next year – almost two years after the incident.

Mr Meir was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision at around 9.10pm on Norton Road at the junction with Trent Street, involving a Skoda Fabia and a Honda VFR 400cc motorcycle.

Judge Stephen Ashurst expressed concern at the length of the delay before the trial could go-ahead.

He said: "I regret to say that the earliest date that can be offered for this trial is June 15, 2020 for a judge and jury.

"As I've said in open court to all parties, it's a matter of great regret that the court simply does not have any spare capacity to take this case earlier.

Bhatti, of Thames Avenue, Thornaby, was granted unconditional bail until his trial.