A hearing for a 35-year-old Felixstowe lorry driver accused of causing the death of a 69-year-old cyclist by careless driving has been adjourned until February.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday (December 11) was Charles Wilkinson, of Queens Road, Felixstowe.

He is accused of causing the death of retired Essex Police inspector Andrew Down by careless driving on November 26 2020.

No plea was taken at Monday's hearing.

Judge Martyn Levett adjourned the hearing until February 5 at 2pm.

The court heard that experts on reconstruction of the collision still needed to meet to produce a joint report and so Judge Levett said he had no alternative but to adjourn.

Mr Down died three days after being involved in a collision with an Iveco lorry, at Kirton Road, Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, Suffolk.

The former Essex Police officer, from Felixstowe, had been airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, following the crash, which happened on one of his regular cycle rides through the villages and Felixstowe coastline.

Defence barrister Ian Bridge said: “On behalf of Mr Wilkinson, he’s devastated at having been involved in this and offers his condolences sincerely.”

The hearing was previously adjourned on July 24 this year until December.

Judge David Pugh adjourned the case until December 11 for a further case management hearing and a provisional date for a trial, which is expected to last four days, was identified as November 4 2024.