Cyclist pleads not guilty to killing London pedestrian

A cyclist has pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey to causing the death of a pedestrian in London’s Old Street earlier this year.

Kim Briggs, aged 44, was on her lunch break from work when the rider, 19-year-old Charlie Alliston of Trothy Road, Bermondsey, collided with her on 12 February by the Reliance pub.

She sustained head injuries as a result of the collision and died in the Royal London Hospital a fortnight later.

Alliston had been charged last month with causing bodily harm by wilful misconduct contrary to section 35 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861.

Paul Jarvis, prosecuting, told yesterday’s hearing: “There is no homicide charge which relates to riding a bike,” reports the Hackney Gazette.

He alleged that the bike lacked a front brake, and that at trial the prosecution would address issues including “the condition of the bike and its roadworthiness” and “whether it should have had a brake fitted to the front wheel.”

Alliston’s counsel said however that the defence would seek to establish that a front brake “wouldn’t have heeded his ability to stop any quicker as he was a competent rider.”

The trial, which is expected to last three days, is due to begin on 9 January 2017, with CCTV footage of the incident reported to be among the evidence that will be presented.

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