THE trial of a bus driver accused of causing the death of a pensioner has been postponed for seven months while experts continue to examine evidence crucial to the case.

Michael Gilbert, of New Row, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, denies causing death by dangerous driving after an 82-year-old great-grandmother was killed in a bus crash.

Eileen Brennan, from Darlington, died following the incident on July 7, 2016, when the Arriva bus Mr Gilbert was driving hit pedestrians and came to rest in the front of the Halifax bank in Darlington’s town centre.

One other pedestrian was also hurt in the crash and Mr Gilbert denies the charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

At previous court hearings, Mr Gilbert has claimed a mechanical fault on his vehicle was the cause of the crash.

A four-day trial date had been set for 53-year-old Mr Gilbert and it was expected to get under way at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday morning.

However, Judge Howard Crowson heard that more time was needed to clarify and assess telemetry data from the bus that was involved in the incident, according to both the prosecution and defence counsel.

Judge Crowson said that although the delay was necessary, he was re-arranging the trial “with a heavy heart”.

The judge addressed Mr Gilbert, who stood in the dock wearing a black suit and red tie, and said: “I’m sure it’s weighing heavily on your mind as heavily as it is on the minds of the families involved in this case.

“It seems that information has come to light more recently than everyone expected and that might be information that bears upon your stance that you applied the brakes.

“It is with regret.”

Judge Crowson added: “We extremely rarely adjourn trial dates because it is so important that we carry out these trials.”

It is expected that new reports will be produced by experts assessing telemetry data from the Arriva bus on behalf of Simon Reevell, for the prosecution, and Christopher Knox, for the defence.

Mr Gilbert was supported by family members sitting in the public gallery during proceedings throughout Tuesday morning.

He will now appear at Teesside Crown Court on March 19, 2018, when a new four-day trial has been scheduled and a jury will be sworn in.