Rackheath lorry driver’s fatal crash Oxford trial date set

James Lindsay, from Rackheath, is accused of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

It follows a crash between the 46-year-old's Mercedes HGV and Ellen Moilanen's Ridgeback bicycle on the Oxford Road, Kidlington, near Oxford Parkway railway station on February 8 last year.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday morning (January 12), Lindsay was not asked to enter pleas to the single charge.

His barrister, Ian Bridge, asked Judge Maria Lamb to set the case down for trial.

That is expected to last between four and five days and is due to start on November 13.

Daren Samat, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the Crown's case was that Lindsay's lorry entered the bus lane towards the station 30 metres before it should have done.

He said: "If he were looking elsewhere he may have only had about a second to view the deceased coming along. The Crown's case is plainly had he been driving properly he wouldn't have been in that bus lane."

Judge Lamb granted Lindsay unconditional bail.

A mention hearing, at which it is expected the prosecution and defence barristers will appear via video link, will take place on March 10.

Bailing him to return for the trial, the judge said: "November 13 will be the trial date. It is important that you bear that in mind.

“You have a hearing on March 10 but you will not be required to attend.”

James Lindsay outside Oxford Magistrates' Court (Image: Oxford Mail)

Prior to the conclusion of the short plea and trial preparation hearing, Mr Bridge told the court: "Mr Lindsay is absolutely heartbroken about what has happened and expresses his condolences again to the family who are in attendance.”

Members of Mrs Moilanen’s family were sitting with police officers in the public gallery in courtroom three.

Mrs Moilanen was one of three female cyclists killed in fatal crashes in Oxford within six months.