A Dagenham man has appeared in court to be charged with careless driving which caused the death of a 72-year-old Suffolk cyclist.

Mark Tuffs, of Alibon Road, made his first appearance at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Ipswich in a hearing lasting five minutes.

The 51-year-old was summonsed to appear before the court to be formally charged with failing to stop after an accident and failing to report the accident which led to the death of Colin Taylor at Hitcham, near Bildeston, on November 29 last year.

However, the court heard Tuffs was also being charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention on the B1115 at Hitcham and thereby causing the death of Mr Taylor.

Tuff’s solicitor Sophie Chaplin asked for the case to be adjourned before pleas could be entered, as the careless driving accusation was a new charge which Tuffs was only told about last week.

He had instructed solicitors on Friday and there had not been enough time to go through the case papers to consider the evidence or a possible application as to the venue of future hearings.

District Judge Celia Dawson agreed to the adjournment.

The next hearing will be before the magistrates’ court during the afternoon of July 17.

Tuffs was released on unconditional bail.

Mr Taylor, who lived in Hitcham, died after allegedly being struck by a white DAF lorry.

His death occurred despite attempts to save his life by a passing motorist.

Mr Taylor was cycling along Finborough Road in Hitcham when his bicycle and the lorry were said to be in collision.

The retired council worker was catapulted from his bike into a dry ditch. His bike ended up on the grass verge and debris was left on the road.

The driver of the lorry is alleged to have carried on travelling in the direction of Bildeston.

A motorist stopped at the scene about 30 seconds later but, despite giving CPR, was unable to save Mr Taylor.

At the opening of his inquest in January, it was said Mr Taylor died as a result of multiple injuries.