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Bus driver denies manslaughter charge

Laganside Court in Belfast
Laganside Court in Belfast Laganside Court in Belfast

A BUS driver has denied the manslaughter of a woman he allegedly knocked down and killed.

James Johnston (33) entered a not guilty plea to the manslaughter of Charlotte Linda Stewart when he appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court today.

Ms Stewart who was 48 and from the Lisburn area, was struck within the grounds of the city's bus station in Smithfield Street on December 29 2014.

Speaking at the time Translink said its thoughts and sympathies were with the family and friends of the victim and that the "distressed" bus driver would be given support by the transport company.

In court today prosecution and defence lawyers agreed that before any trial could commence there was a necessity for engineers' reports from the scene.

Johnston, from Killowen Grange in Lisburn, was freed on continuing bail and although Judge Patrick Lynch QC listed the case for review later this month, he said the trial was unlikely to be heard until September.