THE trial of a lorry driver who crashed into a Kidlington milkman, causing his death, has been delayed until next week.
Barry Archer, 43, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court charged with causing the death of Tom Glancy, 64, by dangerous driving on July 16, 2020, on the A420 near Pusey.
Archer, of Claygate, near Esher in Surrey, has denied the offence but has pleaded guilty instead to an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.
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However, the Crown Prosecution Service did not accept the alternative charge plea and the trial is continuing this week.
The trial started on Tuesday (July 23) but has been delayed on Thursday and Friday (July 25 and 26) for legal reasons, including a lengthy sentencing the presiding judge must deal with on Friday.
During the trial so far, the jury has heard that Archer allegedly spotted a deer in the early hours of July 16, 2020 and had ‘swerved’ to avoid hitting it.
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He admits he was ‘completely’ in the opposing lane and told police he didn’t see Mr Glancy’s headlights.
The Crown Prosecution Service believes that his defence is ‘improbable at best’ and ‘a lie at worst’.
They have suggested Archer may have been distracted or asleep.
The trial will continue as normal on Monday (July 29).
It is expected to last seven days.
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