A TEENAGER has been charged with causing the death of a motorcyclist by driving a JCB dangerously.

Father-of-two Craig Foster, who ran his own motor business in Hapton, lost his life when his Kawasaki ZX6R bike was in a collision with a digger, travelling in the opposite direction on Blackburn Road, Simonstone.

The incident happened in March 2014, as Mr Foster made his way home from work.

Mr Foster, who was married to Mel and had two children, Cory and Lola, was travelling from the Padiham direction to Clayton-le-Moors when the incident occurred in the late afternoon. He died from his injuries at the scene.

A summons was initially served on the JCB’s driver, Harry Shaw, in connection with the collision, on June 18 last year after the police launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Shaw, 19, of Norwood View, Blackburn Road, Simonstone, has now been formally accused of causing the death of Mr Foster, on March 23 last year, by driving the JCB dangerously on a stretch of road between the Time Technology Park and Seaways Services.

No plea was entered when Shaw made a brief appearance before Burnley magistrates and the case was committed to the town’s crown court.

Shaw, who was represented in court by Michael Cunningham, was released on unconditional bail by magistrates to attend a plea and directions hearing on March 30.

A notice on the progress of the case will also be sent to East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor.

Mr Foster was formerly a partner in Accrington Beetles and Vans and his ex-business colleague David Race described him as a ‘good lad’.

He had also worked for several years on his father’s butcher’s stall in Accrington.