A DRIVER who is said to have killed a 20-year-old motorcyclist has denied being responsible.

A not guilty plea was entered on Gavin Whitlock’s behalf by his defence barrister Isobel Ascherson at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday.

Miss Ascherson told the court she had been “unable to get a word out of him all morning” as she asked for the case to be adjourned to “ensure he is in a fit state for trial”.

She said: “Mr Whitlock has been diagnosed with PTSD and is in shock. My instructions at this stage is the driving wasn’t careless.”

Robert Cattermole, 20, died after his Yamaha motorbike collided with Gavin Whitlock’s Vauxhall Corsa in London Road, Lexden.

It was December 15 last year when Whitlock is said to have made the right turn into Straight Road without doing what is called a "lifesaver check", to make sure there was no oncoming traffic.

Mr Cattermole died at the scene.

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A police report found the motorbike the former Sport Safe employee was driving had its brakes fully applied before the collision. 

Whitlock, who was propped up by his mother and another female to walk into court, is charged with causing death by careless and/or inconsiderate driving.

He sat outside of the dock at the request of his barrister with his head in his hands.

Until the case is next brought to court in January, Whitlock, of Leconfield Walk, Hornchurch, has been granted unconditional bail.