A MAN has appeared in court charged causing the death of a 90-year-old woman by careless driving.

Ionut Grosu appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with causing the death of elderly bus passenger Margaret Coates.

Mrs Coates, who was from Thatto Heath, died on the night of Saturday, February 22 last year in hospital after suffering a serious head injury while on a bus on Borough Road during the afternoon.

At around 1.10pm she had been on an Arriva bus on Borough Road, St Helens when it is alleged a white Mercedes Sprinter van driven by Romanian Ionut Grosu stopped suddenly in front of the bus.

This allegedly caused the bus driver to brake.

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Grosu, of Cassia Close, Walton, Liverpool pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to causing the death of Mrs Coates by driving carelessly.

The case was adjourned for a scheduled trial to take place next year.

Grosu, 28, was granted bail with the trial earmarked to start on March 7, 2022.