A man is to face trial after a 22-year-old father-to-be died in a hit and run crash.

Abul Hussain is accused of driving a Peugeot without due care and attention, dangerous driving, driving a vehicle that failed to stop after a road accident and failing to report an accident.

Jack Brandon, from Hassocks, died in the early hours of Sunday, July 3, 2022, after being hit by a car on the B2112 New Road between Ditchling and Clayton.

Brighton Magistrates today ordered that Hussain, 55, of Stapley Road, Hove, will appear before a lay bench of magistrates on October 16 for a trial. The court is yet to be decided. Hussain did not appear.

The Argus: Jack Brandon died months before the birth of his daughterJack Brandon died months before the birth of his daughter

Mr Brandon died just months before his partner Sophie Jay was due to give birth to a baby girl.

Hussain was arrested four days after the incident on July 7 and a vehicle was seized by Sussex Police.

People paid tribute to Mr Brandon who was described as an “amazing person”.

Oliver Dommett, 33, from Littlehampton employed him as an apprentice from the age of 17 and said he saw him “grow from a boy to a man, from an apprentice to my best friend”. 

He previously said: “Jack had a charm and a vulnerability to him that made you want to take him under your wing like he was your little brother.”

More than £10,000 was raised in a matter of days to support Mr Brandon’s family and partner.