A motorist has appeared before a Carlisle court accused of causing the death of an 82-year-old man by "inconsiderate" driving.

Peter Wilkinson, 23, of Clifton, Penrith, who made a brief appearance yesterday at the city's Rickergate magistrates' court, is said to have committed the offence as he drove his VW Golf in the town's King Street on December 19 last year.

The charge states that he caused the death of Lawrence William Cherry by “careless or inconsiderate driving”.

The defendant, who was dressed in a grey suit, spoke during the hearing only to give the court his name and age and to confirm he understood the charge he faces.

In court his defence lawyer, John Smith, told magistrates that Wilkinson would not at this stage be entering a plea.

The accident that led to Mr Cherry's death happened in an area with a pedestrian crossing, near to the town's British Heart Foundation shop, according to the prosecution.

After the accident, the pensioner, who was from Champion Way, Penrith, was rushed to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle but he died a few hours later.

Prosecutor John Moran told the court the case should be dealt with by a judge at the city's crown court.

After listening to lengthy submissions from Mr Moran, District Judge Gerald Chalk ruled it would be more appropriate for the case to be dealt with at Carlisle Crown Court.

As a consequence, he sent the case there for case management hearing on March 20. The defendant granted bail until that day.

Members of Mr Cherry's family are understood to have been in court for yesterday's hearing.