Ami Dronsfield, a 36-year-old mother of two, has appeared in court accused of killing a quad bike rider by dangerous driving on a busy Northumberland road. Dronsfield allegedly caused the death of Michael Armstrong, 58, following a collision on the A697 at Whittingham, near Alnwick, in November 2024.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred shortly after 5pm on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Northumbria Police responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision involving Dronsfield's VW Golf and Mr Armstrong's quad bike. Mr Armstrong, from the Thrunton area near Alnwick, was seriously injured and taken to hospital, where he died a few days later.
Court Appearance
Dronsfield, of West Turnpike, Glanton, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court this week to face one count of causing death by dangerous driving. The court's clerk informed her that the offense can only be heard at the crown court, and the purpose of the hearing was to decide when the case would be sent there.
Jade Halliday-Mitchell, defending, applied for an adjournment, stating that the case is "very technical and complex" and that they were only instructed on July 1. She said: "Whilst this case is inevitably going to the crown court, we were only instructed on July 1. It's a very technical and complex case and we are mindful of credit preservation, which is very important." The solicitor added: "We are seeking an adjournment for no more than 28 days so that we can obtain our own reports and take further and more complex instructions from our client."
Bail and Next Hearing
Magistrates agreed to the adjournment and released Dronsfield on unconditional bail. She is scheduled to appear back at the same court on August 5, 2025.
