A MOTORIST appeared in court accused of causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving.

Jayne Field is alleged to have run over Nathan Hill in London Road, Hailsham.

Mr Hill, 51, a window and door maker, was pronounced dead at the scene in January last year.

At Hove Crown Court, Field was told she faces trial over the incident.

The 50-year-old allegedly drove a Fiat Punto on the B2104 when a crash took place at 7pm on January 30, 2020.

She was represented by Jay Shah during the hearing, while Paul Valder represented the Crown Prosecution Service.

Her Honour Judge Christine Laing QC listened as Field pleaded not guilty to the charges of causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a crash which caused a fatal injury, and failing to report an accident.

Following the crash, Mr Hill’s family said: “Nathan was much loved by everyone who knew him.

“He was a hugely popular man, well known in Hailsham. He was generous and kind and always stopped to say hello to people.”

He worked as a window and door maker at Tradesmith in Hailsham, and previously at Abbott Joinery for 24 years and won a Skills for Life award in 2008 from Sussex Downs College.

Earlier he had attended Hellingly School and The Lindfield School in Eastbourne.

Mr Hill’s family said he enjoyed his work, going to the gym, seeing his many friends, and going out to dance or perform karaoke.

He was survived by his mother and father, sister and brother, niece and nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Mr Hill was cycling along London Road, close to the junction with Grovelands Road, when he was struck by a car, causing him to fall into the path of an oncoming bus.

At the time, Sussex Police launched Operation Hopwood in order to investigate his death.

Field, of Cameron Close, Hailsham, denies the charges.

Judge Laing QC said the likely trial date will be from January 31 next year.