A man has appeared in court accused of killing an elderly woman by drug-driving.

Damian Demczuk is charged with two offences - driving without due care and while unfit through drugs, and secondly, causing death while driving a vehicle unlicensed or uninsured.

Pedestrian Sifa Rifat, 88, died after being hit by a blue Audi A6 outside her sheltered housing home, Cleveland House, in London Road, Northfleet, on Monday, May 30.

Demczuk, 27, of Quarry Hill in Grays, Essex, was arrested and appeared before Medway magistrates today, wearing a tracksuit top.

He will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on December 6.

A petition by Mrs Rifat’s former carer Pakize Guvenc for more safety measures on London Road has almost 1,000 signatures and is due to go before Gravesham council before Christmas.

There have been a number of deaths and accidents along that road, including another at around 8.20pm on Thursday involving three cars.

Police officers and SECAmb were called after witnesses reported a driver colliding with parked cars. No injuries were reported.