The entering of pleas by a man accused of causing a fellow driver’s death by dangerous driving in Carlisle has been postponed amid a computer system glitch.
David George Devoy, 54, appeared at the city’s crown court this morning and faces a number of charges.
One alleges that he caused the death of Neil Errington by driving a BMW 3 series vehicle dangerously on the A7 at Stanwix Bank, near Carlisle Cricket Club, on May 2 2022.
Mr Errington, 50, of the Carlisle area, had been driving a Mercedes vehicle and died 10 days after the collision, which was said by police to have involved a number of vehicles.
Devoy faces two other charges which allege that he caused the death of Mr Errington by driving while unlicensed and also uninsured.
He also faces two charges which allege fraud.
Court papers show that he is alleged to have made one false representation to the DVLA on April 7 2022, that he had lost his licence in order to obtain a replacement.
He also stands accused of making a second false representation to a man on April 10 2022, that he had no physical or mental defect or infirmity; did not suffer from fits; and had not had any motor accident in the last three years. This representation is alleged to have been made in order to obtain the hire of a motor vehicle.
Devoy, of Knightswood, Sunderland, was due to enter pleas to all charges during a hearing in front of Judge Michael Fanning today.
However, no pleas were entered and Judge Fanning adjourned the hearing for a fortnight after hearing that some statements in the case had not been added to a court digital system.
This, said the prosecution, was because of a technical glitch.
Relatives of Mr Errington listened in court as the judge said it was important for all material in the case to be available in order for Devoy to be properly advised by his legal team. That was not possible at present.
Devoy is expected to enter his pleas at a crown court hearing on September 20. In the meantime he remains on bail.
