Sunderland man appears in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving of Michael Giblin on New Year's Eve

A Sunderland man has appeared in court accused of killing a motorist and seriously injuring two passengers by dangerous driving on New Year’s Eve.
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Lewis Urban, 23, of Thomas Street, Ryhope, did not enter pleas to the charges during a five-minute hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Tuesday, November 24.

Urban will appear at Newcastle Crown on Tuesday, December 22, after magistrates were told the case could only be heard at the higher court.

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He is alleged to have caused a crash which led to the death of Michael Giblin, 32, of Hendon, Sunderland, 10 days after the accident on Tuesday, December 31.

Lewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' CourtLewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court
Lewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court

The incident happened at 8.15pm on the A690 Durham Road, at the junction of Premier Road, in Sunderland.

Dark-haired Urban, who was allegedly driving a Seat Ibiza vehicle, is also accused of seriously injuring Caroline Robertson and a teenager in the same accident.

The teenager was a passenger in Urban’s car, while Ms Robertson was in Mr Giblin’s vehicle.

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Urban spoke only to confirm his name, age and address to the court, and when asked if he understood the proceedings, he answered, “Yeah”.

Michael Giblin died in hospital following a road collision on the A690, at the junction of Sunderland's Durham Road and Premier Road, on New Year's Eve last year.Michael Giblin died in hospital following a road collision on the A690, at the junction of Sunderland's Durham Road and Premier Road, on New Year's Eve last year.
Michael Giblin died in hospital following a road collision on the A690, at the junction of Sunderland's Durham Road and Premier Road, on New Year's Eve last year.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess gave no details of the accident but told the court: “There’s little to add from the crown’s position.

“I believe we’ve identified a crown court hearing for four weeks’ time.”

Urban was granted unconditional bail.

:: Tributes to Mr Giblin, who was described as a ‘lovely lad,’ poured in after his death, with Echo readers sending their condolences to his family.

Lewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' CourtLewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court
Lewis Urban after his first appearance charged with death by dangerous driving at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court

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