A JURY has heard closing speeches in the trial of a Bolton dentist accused of causing the death of a 76-year-old man by driving carelessly.

Range Rover driver Naveed Patel, 32, has been on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court over the death of David Eyre, who was in a Mazda saloon when their vehicles collided in February 2019.

Patel was driving at 59mph on a 40mph seconds before the crash in Royton. But he claims Mr Eyre came out in an unexpected and unsafe manner.

Jurors have heard Mr Eyre had a series of health problems and a police log recorded he could have been suffering a medical episode.

A post-mortem examination was not done into the death until CCTV provided evidence of Patel’s speed.

Judge Tina Landale said it was possible for the jury to convict Patel of careless driving and not being responsible for the death. They had to be sure his actions were more than a “small or trifling” cause of the death to convict.

Prosecutor Robert Hall said Patel has a cavalier attitude to speed.

He said: “There is nothing in the CCTV that supports the suggestion of a medical episode."

But Benjamin Myers QC said Mr Eyre had pulled out on his client.

Patel, of Waterslea Drive, denies the driving charge. The jury will be sent out on Monday.