A FATHER-OF-FOUR was thrown 15ft into the air after being struck by a speeding car on a pedestrian crossing, a court heard yesterday.

Darren Vout, 25, of Elwick Gardens, Stockton, denied causing the death of Frederick Brown by dangerous driving, when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Stephen Ashurst, prosecuting, said that Mr Brown, 49, had just left the Hardwick Social Club, Stockton, at 10.15pm, on Sunday, August 27 last year, when he was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing in Harrowgate Lane by a blue BMW 3-series driven by Mr Vout.

The court heard from Colin Evans, one of the first on the scene of the accident, that Mr Vout had been driving at what he thought was 50 to 60mph in a 40mph limit.

He said: "The car was going very fast and I heard a screech of brakes and tyres before seeing Mr Brown being thrown about 15ft in the air."

He said immediately after the accident the car slowed down to the point where he thought the driver was going to stop.

"It then just sped up again at a high speed and drove off in the other direction," said Mr Evans.

"I never saw Mr Brown move after the initial impact, but I moved his head and cleared his airway while waiting for the ambulance arrive."

The trial continues.