A 64-year-old man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a young Soham woman by dangerous driving.

Ely Standard: Lauren DanksLauren Danks (Image: Archant)

Nelson Curtis, of High Street, Lakenheath, is also accused of failing to report the road accident in which Lauren Danks, 22, died, and failing to stop at the scene.

Curtis made his first appearance on the three charges during a hearing lasting just over five minutes at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Ipswich.

Two relatives of Miss Danks were in court to listen to proceedings.

The tragedy is said to have happened on or about November 10 last year.

Miss Danks lost her life on the A11 at Barton Mills when the accident occurred around midnight. She was driving a Citroen.

At the time Curtis is alleged to have been driving a Jaguar XJ Sport in Newmarket Road, Park Farm Drive.

Clerk of the court, Hazel Dewing, told the hearing that the death by dangerous driving matter could only be dealt with at crown court.

Prosecutor Lucy Miller added: “As far as the other two offences are concerned they are clearly linked to this and I would ask they be sent as well.”

No formal pleas to the charges were entered.

The case was sent to Ipswich Crown Court where a plea and trial preparation hearing is due to take place on June 27.

Curtis was released on bail.

Miss Danks was a beauty therapist at the Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs in Elveden.

Following her death, floral tributes were left at the dual carriageway’s roadside – with angel wings and a tiara added to balloons, flowers, cards and a picture of Lauren.

Her parents Robert and Claire, and her three brothers, said they were left devastated by her death.

One of their posts on Facebook, read: “Lauren, we miss you so much. You are our heart, our soul, our life. Mummy, Daddy, Kieran, Bobby and Jayden. We love you so very, very much. Sleep tight our precious angel xxxxx.”

Center Parcs also paid tribute to Miss Danks.

The company said “Our thoughts are with Lauren’s family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.

“Lauren was a highly regarded and popular member of the Aqua Sana team, and she will be truly missed.”