A Carlisle man accused of deliberately colliding with a young cyclist after driving on to a city play area will stand trial in front of a jury early next year.
Derek Heggie, aged 63, is also alleged to have kidnapped the youth during a series of incidents which are said to have occurred in the Harraby area on 21st March this year.
Heggie, of Welsh Road, faced three charges when he appeared at the city’s crown court today. One alleges the dangerous driving of a Renault Megane on Petteril Bank Road and also in a public place — Carliol Drive play area.
A second charge alleges that Heggie attempted to cause a youth grievous bodily harm with intent to do so.
And a third charge alleges kidnapping of the youth by “unlawfully, and by force or fraud” taking or carrying him away.
During a short court hearing, Heggie pleaded not guilty to each of the three charges when they were read to him.
A trial will take place in the week of February 27, 2023. It is estimated this will last up to five days.
In the meantime Heggie was granted bail with conditions that he must not contact the youth, nor prosecution witnesses in the case.
