A tipper truck driver has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Oxford researcher Dr Ling Felce by dangerous driving.

Robert Whiting, 39, is said to have been behind the wheel of a DAF tipper lorry on The Plain when the truck struck the 35-year-old cyclist on March 1.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court via video link this morning, Whiting, of Brome Place, Oxford, pleaded not guilty to a single count of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Michael Gledhill QC remanded him in custody ahead of a hearing on June 6. His three day trial was listed to start on August 1.

The judge said: "I issue the usual judicial warnings namely that if the defendant Mr Whiting refuses to attend his trial then it is likely that he will be tried in his absence without there being very good reason why not."

Christopher Hewertson appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service. The defendant was represented by Matthew Rowcliffe.

In the wake of Dr Felce’s death, husband James described the Oxford researcher as the ‘light of our family’.

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