A tipper truck driver has denied a charge arising from the death of a five-year-old boy struck by his vehicle in a residential street almost two years ago, in Newcastle.

Layton Darwood was seriously injured in the accident on Willow Avenue, Fenham, on Monday August 25, 2020, and later died in hospital.

The driver of Ford Transit Tipper involved, the now forty-year-old Darren Jacques, is charged relating to his eligibility to be at the wheel that day, by virtue of a previous driving ban said to be still in place at the time of the fatal collision.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Newcastle Crown Court today the defendant, from Cumbria, pleaded not guilty of causing death by driving while disqualified.

Read more: Layton Darwood: Newcastle fatal crash to see man appear in court today

Due to heavy backlogs in case listings, the first suitable available slot in the court calendar was identified as Monday, April 3, next year.

The defendant, of Hutton Hill, Penrith, was granted conditional bail to appear for the trial.

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