A decision is set to be made on whether an 88-year-old man is fit to stand trial accused of seriously injuring a fellow pensioner.

George Brooker was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the incident in October 2013, when he allegedly ploughed into 89-year-old Gilbert Roots as he was pulling his trolley across a zebra crossing on Loose Road, Maidstone.

He has since denied driving his Vauxhall Corsa erratically, causing Mr Roots’ serious injuries.

Brooker, of Cornwallis Avenue, Linton, was due to stand trial at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last Friday but did not appear as a result of his deteriorating mental health.

“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” — Natalie Brown, prosecuting

Russell Morling, defending, told magistrates his client wasn’t present as he has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia and therefore is currently not fit — it was the sixth time the case has been adjourned.

At a hearing in May the court heard how proceedings has been repeatedly stalled due to Brooker’s health and that of the victim.

Natalie Brown, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Roots’ family were not satisfied with the way the case has been handled, having received a call on the morning of the trial to say it 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.”

She added as there is a possibility Brooker will not be able to appear the trial will have to be adjourned for the CPS to decide how best to proceed, saying: “This is a very sensitive issue.

"I am not prepared to make that call and it will have to go off to a district crown prosecutor to decide. I am therefore asking for the case to be adjourned.”

The bench agreed to adjourn the trial until Friday, September 18, and will await a decision on how to proceed. Brooker’s unconditional bail was extended until that date.