A MAN has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving on Christmas Eve.

Peter Chen, 40, was brought before Bournemouth Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon accused of causing the death of Ray Tutton.

He was also charged with failing to stop.

The incident took place outside Branksome Railway Hotel in Poole.

Chen, dressed in a light brown coloured fleece, did not make a bail application and was remanded in custody.

He spoke only through an interpreter to confirm his details.

District Judge Roger House sent the case to Bournemouth Crown Court for a hearing on February 17. No plea was taken.

Chen, of no fixed abode, was described as a married restaurant worker with two children.

He was said to be a Malaysian of Chinese origin who had been living in Britain for around 10 years.

Chen was alleged to have been driving the blue Nissan Micra that was in collision with Mr Tutton on Poole Road.

Mr Tutton, 46, had just left the Branksome Railway Hotel with his wife Liz, 47, in the early hours of December 24, and was using a pedestrian crossing.

Liz said after the accident: “Ray was the funniest, kindest man you could ever meet, he made friends everywhere he went and had just been promoted at work; we were all so proud of him.

“He is going to leave a huge void in the lives of myself and his children, Sunita, Ray and Sarah. He lived for his family and his dogs; we’re going to miss him so much.”

Mr Tutton, a keen golfer, was a lift engineer and died in Poole Hospital from multiple injuries.