A TAXI driver has denied causing the death of a teenage girl by careless driving.

Kirsty Louise Fennon, 18, of York Road, Redcar, suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a vehicle as she walked along the A1085 Coast Road between Redcar and Marske at 4.50am on April 6 last year following a night out.

Craig Williamson, of Byland Road, Skelton, east Cleveland, who was driving a Skoda Octavia private hire vehicle, pleaded not guilty to causing her death by careless driving when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Relatives of Ms Fennon were in court to hear Judge Howard Crowson adjourn the case.

He granted the 46-year-old defendant unconditional bail and said it was expected a trial would take place in May.