A man has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a 10-year-old girl died in an alleged hit-and-run.
Melissa Tate was hit by a vehicle in Kenton, Newcastle, at about 6.40pm on Wednesday. She died in hospital the next day.
Connor Marsden, 23, appeared at Newcastle crown court, sitting as a magistrates court, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Marsden, of Kenton, Newcastle, was not required to enter any pleas during the brief hearing.
Marsden is also charged with causing death by driving while uninsured, causing death by driving while not having a licence, failing to report to police following an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
Keith Laidlaw, prosecuting, said the alleged offences relate to Wednesday’s incident.
Marsden was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on 28 October.
The chair of the magistrates, Win Clayton, said: “You are charged with an indictable-only offence, and that is causing death by dangerous driving. You will reappear at this court, acting as a crown court sitting, and that will be on 28 October at 10am.”
Ch Insp Chris Grice, of Northumbria police, said of Melissa’s death: “This is understandably a difficult time for the family and it is something that nobody should have to go through. Specialist officers have been supporting them since Melissa was involved in the collision on Wednesday night and they continue to do so.
“This incident has had a big impact on the community in Kenton and I know that residents will come together to support Melissa’s family.”
An online fundraising page in Melissa’s memory has raised more than £6,000.
Family members said on social media that Melissa’s organs had been offered for donation in the hope that they can help save other children.
