A SEVENTY-year-old motorist accused of causing the death of a former North Cumbria school teacher by careless driving has appeared in court.
Penelope Bains, who was 72, died at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary on December 29, 2018, nine days after she was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Main Street, Brampton. Known as Penny, she had formerly taught art at William Howard School in the town during the 1980s before leaving in the early 1990s.
Roger Williams, of Hethersgill, north of Brampton, faced one charge when he appeared in the dock at North and West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Carlisle this afternoon (THURS).
This charge alleges that Williams caused the death of Ms Bains by the careless/inconsiderate driving of a Ford C-Max on Main Street in Brampton or about December 20, 2018.
During a five-minute hearing, Williams – dressed in a light-coloured jacket, shirt and blue jeans – spoke to state his name, address and date of birth, and to confirm he would not yet be entering a plea to the charge.
Prosecutor John Moran gave a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the tragic 2018 collision. This, he said, occurred while Ms Bains was using a puffin pedestrian road crossing.
District Judge Gerald Chalk agreed with the prosecution’s submission – unopposed by defence lawyer, Chris Toms – that the case should be sent to Carlisle Crown Court.
Williams is due to appear there in front of a judge on October 19, and in the meantime was granted bail by District Judge Chalk.
