Learner driver in court over Dagenham death crash

A learner driver appeared in court today charged with causing the death of teenage cyclist Thomas Stone.

Nadia Roberts, 21, was driving her boyfriend’s car as he sat in the front passenger seat when she collided with the 13-year-old yards from her home, it is alleged.

The Eastbrook School pupil was given CPR but died at the scene in Bell Farm Avenue, Dagenham, on May 17.

Roberts is charged with causing the student’s death by careless driving, without insurance and while driving otherwise than in accordance with her licence.

She also faces charges that she drove without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with her licence.

Her boyfriend, Mark Headley, 37, is charged with having no insurance, allowing Roberts to drive without insurance and causing the car to be driven by Roberts otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Headley, of Avenue Road, Harold Wood, is also charged with aiding Roberts to cause the teenager’s death by driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance and causing death by careless driving.

Roberts lived in Bell Farm Avenue at the time of the accident but has since moved to York Road, Ilford.

No pleas were entered as the pair appeared on unconditional bail before Redbridge magistrates.

They were bailed to return to the court to be committed to crown court on December 6.