A pensioner who suffers with dementia has been told he will stand trial for dangerous driving more than two years after he knocked down an 89-year-old.

George Brooker, 88, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court to hear that despite a doctor believing he is too ill to attend court, his trial will go ahead.

Brooker was driving his Vauxhall Corsa on Loose Road, Maidstone, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, when he hit Gilbert Roots, who was pulling his trolley across a zebra crossing.

Brooker was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

Defending, Keith Middleton told the court Dr Oladapo Babatola, a specialist in old age and psychiatry, had assessed Brooker.

Mr Middleton said: “Mr Brooker is not fit to attend court, based on his observations and assessment.”

However, Mr Middleton said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was determined a trial would take place.

Mr Middleton said his client had struggled to remember the details of the crash when interviewed by police and had great difficulty hearing.

He told the court Brooker, of Cornwallis Avenue, Linton, suffered from dementia and had difficulty concentrating and remembering things.

Throughout the brief hearing, a relative sat next to Brooker to repeat loudly everything the solicitor said.

The case had been adjourned six times due to the ill-health of both men before Friday’s hearing.

At the previous scheduled appearance, in August, Natalie Brown, for the CPS, said Mr Roots’ family were not satisfied with the way the case had been handled, having received a call that morning to say the trial would not be going ahead.

She said: “The family are understandably distraught by the incident and the fact the case has been going on for two years and want to see justice.”

The DVLA has already revoked Brooker’s driving licence. The trial has been scheduled for the end of November and Brooker’s unconditional bail was extended until that date.