A WOMAN accused of causing the death of a cyclist at the Commonhead roundabout is to face a trial.

Sarah Williams, 45, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving when she appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

Williams is said to have been behind the wheel of a horsebox when it was in collision with cyclist Andrew Drinkwater.

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the hearing until Friday, April 25, for a further pre-trial hearing .

Williams, of Orpington, Kent, was released on unconditional bail.

Judge Ambrose said Monday, April 18, had been pencilled in as a trial date and this would be confirmed at the next hearing.

Mr Drinkwater was riding his bicycle on the southbound slip road to the A419 shortly after 9.30pm on the evening of Friday April 9, when he was in collision with the vehicle. It is thought he was then hit by other vehicles having been thrown into the carriageway.

Mr Drinkwater, 23, a Swindon Town fan, of Foundry Rise, Chiseldon, is thought to have been visiting a friend in Nythe when the accident happened.

He was well-known in Chiseldon, having grown up there and often cycled between the village and Gorse Hill to visit his father.

Mr Drinkwater’s bike had been stolen two weeks before the accident, but he was lent a bike by his mum’s partner.

A former Ridgeway School pupil, Mr Drinkwater went on to become a qualified roofer through an apprenticeship in Swindon.

He had dreamed of training as a painter and decorator, following in his father’s footsteps.

Mr Drinkwater loved football, regularly going to the County Ground and sometimes travelling to away matches and even named his cat Wilson after Town manager Danny Wilson.

He also enjoying fishing, cycling, wildlife, music, going to the bingo and buying cars at auction.