A MAN has changed his plea and denied driving a killer motorist away from the scene of a fatal crash.
Thomas Magnum, 47, initially admitted perverting the course of justice by driving Derek Pallas back to Sunderland after he killed motorcyclist Leslie Lawrence, 35, on the A19 in WAshington on April 5.
But, after an application by defence barrister Michael Hodson, Judge Maurice Carr allowed Mr Magnum to vacate his guilty plea.
Pallas, of Sycamore Park, Brandon, Durham, admitted causing the death of the mother-of-two by dangerous driving and was jailed for five years earlier this month.
Mr Magnum will be appointed new legal advisors and will appear back before the court for a further plea and directions hearing later this year.
He was granted bail in the meantime
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