A man from Shotley has appeared at court and been charged in connection with a fatal collision in Ipswich last year.

The incident occurred shortly before 10pm on Thursday 13 October 2022 in Vernon Street and involved a bicycle and three cars - a blue Audi S3, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a Red Skoda Fabia.

Ambulance crews were also in attendance, but the cyclist – a 35-year-old man – sadly died at the scene. Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, he has been identified as Benjamin Wright from the Ipswich area.

The driver of the Audi decamped and fled the scene. Later that evening, a man was arrested in the Shotley area in connection with the incident and taken into police custody for questioning, before being released under investigation.

James Ashman, aged 28, of Lower Harlings, Shotley Gate, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday 11 October, where he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He has also been charged with failing to stop after a road accident; and failing to report a road accident.

Ashman was granted bail pending a next hearing at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 22 November.

A second man (aged 25 at the time) who was arrested on 14 October 2022 in connection the incident - on suspicion of assisting an offender – and was subsequently released under investigation, will face no further police action at this time.