A policeman has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Metropolitan officer PC Nigel Brown is accused of causing the death of mother-of-three Felicity Austin, 29, of The Paddock, in Hadlow, last May.

Miss Austin died in a road accident on the A21 Pembury Road when she was involved in a head-on collision with an unmarked police car which was involved in operational duties.

Brown, 46, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court after an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Magistrates sent the case to be heard at Maidstone Crown Court, and a preliminary hearing has been set for March 29.

Miss Austin, left behind her fiance Simon Huggins and their three children, Jordan, Brandon and Kian.

After the hearing solicitor Vijay Mehan gave a statement on behalf of Mr Huggins, 35.

He said: “Simon is pleased that this case has finally come to court, some 10 months after his fiancée was killed in this incident.

“As he continues to come to terms with the death of his fiancée and as his three sons cope with the loss of their loving and beloved mother, he is hopeful that the full facts and truth of the circumstances surrounding this devastating collision will emerge, hopefully providing his family with some answers and allowing him and his children to begin the long process of re-building their lives.

“Simon also wishes to thank the residents of Hadlow, who have provided both support and some comfort to his family at this tragic time.”

Hadlow Playgroup, where Miss Austin worked as an assistant, closed for three days after her death as a mark of respect, and many villagers also signed a book of condolence set up at St Mary’s Church in Hadlow last June.