Westerham:Man In Court Over Crash Death

An elderly motorist has appeared in court, accused of killing a woman when his car crashed into a coffee shop in Westerham on Christmas Eve.

David Lord entered no plea to a single charge of causing death by dangerous driving at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court.

The 87-year-old from Westerham, struggled to hear the words of chairman of the bench Jackie Hamilton during the three-minute hearing.

Asked if he could hear proceedings, having gestured to family members in the public gallery, he said: ``Not really.''

Lord, who wore a dark suit and had a hearing aid, spoke to confirm his name and address.

He has been released on bail to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on August 2, before a trial at a date to be set.

The court heard Lord was accused of causing the death of Valerie Deakin by driving his Audi A4 dangerously in Westerham high street.

Mrs Deakin, a married mother-of-two, was sitting with her eldest daughter and a friend next to the window in the Costa Coffee shop last Christmas Eve.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were seriously injured.