A young driver accused of causing the death of a cyclist by dangerous driving is expected to claim she suffered a “loss of consciousness”, a court has heard.
Tiffany Treanor-Johnson, 26, has been charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of music student Harry Webb, 27, in Hackney on September 10, 2023.
She pleaded not guilty to the offence during an appearance at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday.
A trial date was set for April 27, 2026. The trial is expected to last at least five days.
Stephanie Panchkowry, defending, said the defence would be seeking expert opinion on Treanor-Johnson’s medical condition at the time of the collision, which happened in Kenworthy Road.
“It’s a loss of consciousness,” she said. “It’s a particular concern that has always been on the defendant’s medical records.”
The prosecution has already obtained expert evidence from a neurologist, prior court hearings have been told.
Mr Webb was cycling to London Fields lido at the time of the collision.
He suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital two days later.
Judge Rosa Dean, the Recorder of Redbridge, apologised for the length of time before the trial is due to start – which will be more than two-and-a-half years after Mr Webb’s death.
She told Treanor-Johnson, of Bramshaw Road, Hackney: “The focus has got to be on your medical history and whether you have a neurological defence.”
An earlier hearing at Thames magistrates’ court in April was told that Treanor-Johnson had been driving at 53mph on Homerton High Street in Hackney - in a 20mph area - prior to the collision.
She had accelerated to 53mph, mounted the pavement and collided with a signpost before the Audi A1 car she was driving collided with Mr Webb.
Snaresbrook Crown Court was told on Thursday that her driving licence had been revoked following an application from the Metropolitan police in the wake of the collision.
Treanor-Johnson was granted unconditional bail. She was reminded by Judge Dean that she was not permitted to drive.
Mr Webb, whose parents live in Crickhowell, Wales, was studying music at the London College of Contemporary Music and living with friends in a house-share near Kenworthy Road at the time of his death.
He had a maths and philosophy degree from Bristol University, a masters in philosophy from Amsterdam university and had been due to begin the second year of a masters at the London College of Contemporary Music.
