A PACKED public gallery yesterday heard a 24-year-old deny causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal collision in Crowthorne last year.

Rhys Hargreaves, of Blackheath Road in Farnham, denied causing the death of 36-year-old Garry Holmes in a collision along the A3095 Foresters' Way on May 14, 2015. 

Mr Holmes was travelling as a passenger in a Volkswagen Transporter van when it collided with a white Ford Transit being driven by Hargreaves at around 8.15pm.

The 24-year-old stood in a grey suit and burgundy tie as the charge of causing death by dangerous driving was read out to him in Reading Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday), he denied the charge in front of a public gallery brimming with the bereaved friends and family of Mr Holmes, from Green Lane in Sandhurst. 

Hargreaves, who was aged 23 at the time of the collision, was released on unconditional bail pending a trial at the same court on October 10, 2016.