A WOMAN has appeared in court accused of causing the deaths of a husband and wife by dangerous driving following a crash tragedy on the A66 near Appleby.

Steven Goodings, 60, was the driver of a Volkswagen Golf and Christine Goodings, 61, a front seat passenger in the vehicle when it was involved in a three-vehicle collision close to the village of Warcop. This occurred just before 12-15pm on Monday, 23rd May, last year.

Police said at the time that a Volkswagen T-Cross and a heavy goods vehicle were also involved in the collision.

Mrs Goodings, of Sunderland, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, also of Tyne and Wear, was left in a critical condition and died in hospital several weeks later, on 16th June.

Three other people were said to have been injured as a result of the collision.

Ellen Leslie, 55, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this morning (tues). Leslie faces two charges which allege that she caused the deaths of both Mr and Mrs Goodings by driving a Volkswagen T-Cross dangerously on the A66.

During a short hearing, blonde haired and bespectacled Leslie appeared remotely over a video link and spoke to confirm her personal details and that she understood the proceedings clearly.

In a short address to deputy district judge Morgan, prosecutor George Shelley said: “The deceased persons were a married couple — with two adult sons — and both tragically died as a result of this collision.”

No pleas were entered by Leslie, of Hamlet Road, South London, to the two charges she faces.

The court heard these charges are “indictable only” which means the case can only be dealt with by a judge.

Deputy district judge Anna Moran sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court, and Leslie is due to appear there on 24th October.

In the meantime Leslie — who was represented by a solicitor during today’s hearing — was granted unconditional bail.