HEALTH and safety consultant Brian Hampton has formally denied causing Jade Clark's death on the A31.

At his second appearance at Bournemouth magistrates court, the 58-year-old entered a not guilty plea to causing the 16-year-old's death by careless driving.

He did not enter a plea to the other eight charges -  three charges of driving while disqualified, three charges of driving without insurance, one of failing to stop at an accident and one of failing to report an accident.

Hampton, who is  from Shadoxhurst, near Ashford in Kent, but works in Poole on the railways, appeared by video link from custody wearing a red t-shirt.

He said good morning to the judge and prosecution solicitor before Andrew Gurney, representing him, entered the not guilty plea to the most serious of nine charges he faces.

Causing death by careless driving can be dealt with by the magistrates court, but the panel rejected jurisdiction and Hampton will face trial at crown court after two further procedural appearances at Magistrates.

Hundreds of mourners paid tribute to Jade at her funeral on Friday.