A driver has denied causing the death of a “friendly, honourable and loyal” young man in a seafront crash in the early hours of the morning.
Andrew Pearson, 61, pleaded not guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court this morning to a single charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
Charlie Newns, 20, was walking along Marine Parade near the junction of Arundel Terrace when he was hit by a white Jeep on Saturday, 7 September 2024.
He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital with serious injuries and died the following day.
Following today’s brief hearing, Charlie’s mother Liz Newns said: “Charlie was a young man on the brink of his life, he was one of those rare magnetic human beings. He was kind, funny and happy.
“He was friendly, honourable and loyal – he was loved by everyone who was lucky enough to know him, and greatly missed.”
Pearson, of The Bricky, Peacehaven, was committed to Lewes Crown Court on unconditional bail. He is due to appear there for a pre-trial hearing on Thursday, 16 July.
