THE trial date for a case against a hotel managing director charged with causing death by careless driving has been set.

Nicholas Bannister, 63, who manages the Coniston Hotel and Spa at Coniston Cold, denies causing the death of Judith Wadsworth, 66, from Baildon, on the evening of February 2, 2020, in the grounds of the hotel where Mrs Wadsworth was a guest.

Dressed in a blue suit, Bannister appeared before Judge Jonathan Gibson for the first pre-trial hearing at Bradford Crown Court today (Thursday).

The defendant, of Mark House Lane, Bell Busk, entered a not guilty plea and a date for the trial was set for September 11, 2023.

It was agreed prior to the hearing that the words cause death by careless/inconsiderate driving on the original charge be changed to read 'cause death by careless driving'.

A second pre-trail date of June 7, 2023 was set for crown court for a management hearing.

The trial is expected to last for four days and the defendant was granted unconditional bail until that date.

He was asked to attend the June pre-trial hearing.

Judge Gibson said it was unfortunate for all parties concerned that the trail date was so far in advance due to the court's workload.