A TAXI driver appeared in court charged with causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving.

David Gwillym Johnston (CORR), of Feering Street, Newport, was driving a Volkswagen Bora along the city's Southern Distributor Road when it collided with cyclist Andrew Leonard Chick around 7,45am on August 8.

Mr Chick, 40, who was cycling to work when the incident happened, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Defence counsel for Johnston, 61, told magistrates sitting in Cwmbran he would likely plead not guilty to the charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving when given the opportunity.

The case was adjourned ahead of a hearing at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on December 21, when it will be transferred to the crown court. Johnston was released on bail.

Following his death, Mr Chick’s devastated children Bethan and Benn told how their world had been torn apart.

They described their father as a quite man, but a hard worker who was well respected by his colleagues and family.

He had moved to Newport in his 20s after what they described as a turbulent young life, but earned himself a well-paid job as a drivers mate, which he enjoyed as it allowed him to travel around south Wales and south west England.