A TAXI driver has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a man in York.

 

Frank Norman appeared before York and Selby Magistrates Court today, charged with killing Robert Stephenson in Micklegate in March 2016.

 

Robert, a third-year agriculture and agronomy student, was hit by a Ford Mondeo driven by the defendant in Micklegate in the early hours of Saturday, March 26, last year.

 

The 21-year-old University of Newcastle student , who was from Pickering, was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to York Hospital, but later died from his injuries.

 

Norman, 70, of Brunel Court, York, has been charged with causing death by dangerous or inconsiderate driving.

 

Kevin Blount, for Norman, said his client was a professional driver, and did not indicate a plea.

 

Norman is next due to appear before York Crown Court in May.

 

The Press reported last month that the Rob Stephenson Trust fund - set up by Robert’s family in his memory - has recently raised more than £70,000 through public donations and fundraising.

 

The trust will be used to help young people participate in sport, reflecting Robert’s love of rugby and cricket, and has already made a number of donations to projects, both in this country and abroad, including Sierra Leone, Mongolia, South Africa, India and Brazil.