A TT visitor has denied being responsible for the death of motorcyclist who died in a TT week collision at the Sloc Road in Rushen.

Aaron James Gwilliams, aged 24, of King Street, Yeadon, Leeds, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing the death by driving without due care when he appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes on Tuesday.

Joshua Keith Thornton, aged 23, of Baildon in West Yorkshire, was killed on June 6 after an accident involving three motorcycles.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Mr Gwilliams, who is a joiner, was riding a Suzuki SV650 at 10.20am travelling south on the Sloc with two other bikes.

The prosecution allege that Mr Gwilliams was riding at high speed, leading the other two bikes as he went around a corner, straying onto the wrong side of the road and subsequently colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

Mr Thornton was said to be travelling behind and crashed into one of the other bikes.

Borderline

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the witnesses claimed that Mr Gwilliams had come around the corner ’like a black missile’.

Mr Swain said that the case was borderline as to whether it should be dealt with by the higher court.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said that there was no evidence of reckless riding, or drugs or alcohol involved, and that Mr Gwilliams had a clean driving licence which he had held for around eight years.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction meaning that a trial will be held in summary court.

A pre-trial review will be held on January 7 next year.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500. Mr Gwilliams must reside at his home address.