A MOTORIST charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal accident in Sittingbourne has been sent to Maidstone Crown Court for trial.

Mark Warner, 43, of Romford Road, Chigwell, Essex, was remanded on unconditional bail when he appeared before Sittingbourne magistrates.

He is due to appear at the crown court on February 3.

He is also charged with failing to stop, failing to report the accident, using a motor vehicle without insurance and using an insurance document with intent to deceive.

Cyclist Robertas Zalepuga, 26, of Emerald Road, on Sittingbourne’s Sonora Fields development, died on August 12 last year while riding on the Bobbing-bound side of the nearby Staplehurst Link Road.

Mr Zalepuga, a Lithuanian, had worked at Cross and Wells’ warehouse and distribution depot in Castle Road, Sittingbourne, since January last year. Employees set up a shrine in the firm’s canteen in his memory and raised hundreds of pounds for his family.

It is believed he was riding home when the tragedy occurred.