A man has appeared at Maidstone Crown Court accused of causing the death of a businessman in a crash at Paddock Wood.

Liam Davis, of Cleavesland, Laddingford, Maidstone, is charged with causing the death of Ronald Berry by careless driving while over the drink-drive limit.

Davis’ Land Rover Freelander was in collision with the 73-year-old long-serving Brenchley and Matfield parish councillor’s Peugeot 406 in Queen Street on December 3 last year.

Emergency services were called to the country lane between Commercial Motor Services and the Elm Tree pub, but widower Mr Berry, who owned Burnbright Fuels in Lucks Lane, died from his injuries.

He leaves a son David, daughter Tina and three grandchildren.

He established Brenchley Youth Club in the 1960s and was secretary and treasurer of Horsmonden Social Club for many years. He stepped down after the death of his wife Rosemary a few years ago.

Davis, 26, will return to court to enter a plea on September 13.