AN 81-YEAR-OLD man accused of causing a crash which killed a motorcyclist in Faringdon has made his first appearance at court.

Brian Short, of Shotover Corner, Faringdon, is charged with one count of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

He appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court to enter a not guilty plea to the single count yesterday.

Prosecutors allege that Short caused the death of motorcylist Rodney Williams during the collision, which happened at Little Faringdon on Thursday, January 25. Mr Williams, who was driving a Triumph Tiger motorcycle suffered multiple injuries as a result of the crash and died at the scene.

Short, who was driving a Mercedes-Benz GLA vehicle, had just exited an un-named junction at the A361, when the collision took place.

His defence counsel told magistrates’ at the hearing yesterday that Short maintains his driving was not careless or inconsiderate and that he continues to maintain his innocence.

Hearing an overview of the case from both prosecutors and defence teams Presiding Magistrate Colin Maguire accepted jurisdiction and said that the trial could be held before magistrates’ and not a jury panel.

A trial date was set for the case which will be heard at Oxford Magistrates’ Court over two days – the first on November 5 and the second on November 9.

Short was released on police bail pending his next appearance at the magistrates’ court.