A MAN accused of causing the death of an elderly cyclist by careless driving in south Cumbria is to stand trial later this year.
Nathan James Holme, 23, faced one charge when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (MON).
This alleges that Holme drove an Audi A3, on the A6 at Milnthorpe, “without due care and attention, and thereby caused the death” of Joseph Eric Park.
During a 15-minute hearing in front of Judge Barbara Forrester today, Holme pleaded not guilty to the charge.
This arises out of an incident on March 7 last year when the Audi and cyclist Mr Park – who was aged 74 and known to friends as Eric – were in collision.
This incident was reported to have occurred on Church Street in Milnthorpe, close to its junction with St Anthony’s Hill.
Holme, of Broad Ing Crescent, Kendal, is due to stand trial in front of a jury at the crown court.
This is set to start on July 29 and, it is estimated, will last three to four days.
In the meantime, he was granted bail by Judge Forrester.
*Friends of Mr Park – who was reported to have been an active member of several operatic societies – paid tribute following his death.
One described him as a “true gentleman” who would be “sadly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him”.
