A black cab driver accused of causing the death of another motorist claimed he was having a sneezing fit at the time, a court heard.

Phillip Parker crashed into the back of Malkit Khatkar’s car as he was driving home from London in the early hours of New Year’s Day last year.

Mr Khatkar, 70, suffered serious spinal injuries in the accident on the A2 at Wilmington and died two weeks later.

Parker, of Fir Tree Grove, Chatham, denies causing death by careless driving.

Anthony Prosser, prosecuting, said the 38-year-old cabbie told police he started sneezing repeatedly - seven or eight times in a row.

He said he was suddenly aware of something in front of him and collided with the rear of Mr Khatkar’s Vauxhall Vectra.

“The Crown say if he did have a sneezing fit there was at least 30 seconds of visibility of the car in front and plenty of time to brake and do anything to avoid the rear-end collision,” said Mr Prosser.

Parker had been working all night in London before driving home, a jury at Maidstone Crown Court was told.

There were no independent witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 5.20am on a long straight stretch of the coast-bound carriageway.

"the defendant’s driving was not of the standard of a careful and competent driver…” – anthony prosser, prosecuting

Off-duty PC William Parish arrived on the scene just after the collision on the inside lane.

The Vectra had been struck from the rear and spun around. Mr Khatkar had to be cut out.

He was taken to Darent Valley Hospital and then transferred to Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, on January 16.

Mr Prosser said it was not possible to say how fast Mr Khatkar was travelling and it was possible his car was stationary at the time of the collision.

Parker, who suffered a broken collarbone, said his speed was about 50-60mph.

Mr Prosser said if sneezing did not explain the cause, it could have been lack of concentration or tiredness.

“The Vectra was there to be seen on a straight stretch of road,” he said. “The reality is he drove into the back of the car, causing the collision.

“The Crown say the defendant’s driving was not of the standard of a careful and competent driver.”

The case continues.