ARNIE Peter Rogers appeared in court yesterday charged with causing the death of 33-year-old Paul Winters in a crash on Thamesdown Drive in May.

Early in the morning of Sunday, May 25, Mr Winters was being driven by his father, 61-year-old Peter, in a red Nissan along the arterial road, which was absent of heavy traffic.

At around 6.30am Peter was attempting to turn into the Orbital Retail Park when he was struck by a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.

Paul was flung from the car and died later that day at Great Western Hospital, despite the efforts of paramedics.

His father sustained serious injuries and was treated at South-mead Hospital.

A stretch of the road was cordoned off throughout the day by police, and fire services were called to extinguish one of the cars, which had caught fire.

Two men were arrested later that day at a nearby address after the occupants of the other car had left the scene.

This Is Wiltshire:

The scene of the crash on Thamesdown Drive

Mr Rogers, 23, of Kitchener Street, did not enter a plea to the charges when he appeared at Swindon magistrates court for his first hearing.

He stands accused of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death by driving a vehicle while unlicensed.

Throughout the short proceedings Mr Rogers appeared calm and unfazed.

Dressed in a formal grey shirt and trousers, he remained upright and stared straight ahead as the charges were read out to him, and spoke only to confirm his current address and date of birth.

He will now remain on a tagged curfew at his home until his next appearance in court in October.

Keith Bellinger, prosecuting, told the court: “Obviously the first allegation of causing death by dangerous driving is unsuitable to be dealt with in this court, and the other two offences arise out of the same instance and are inextricably llinked.

“I would invite the court to send the matters to Swindon Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act.

“He does appear in court subject to conditions of bail.”

Rob Ross, defending Mr Rogers, said: “So far as bail is concerned he is now subject to a condition of residence and a tagged curfew between the hours of 10pm to 7am.”

Chairman of the bench, Mr John Fryer, was unable to accept jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charges.

“As you have heard the matter before us of causing death by dangerous driving is an indictable only offence and we have to send this matter to the Crown Court,” he said. “The other two matters are clearly linked.

“We grant you bail subject to a condition of residence at the address given and you will be subject to a tagged curfew between the hours of 10pm and 7am.”

The case was transferred to Swindon Crown Court to the first available date for a early guilty plea on October 17 at 10am.