AN AUDI driver his said to have caused the death of two pensioners in a head-on crash near Malmesbury.

Nicholas Haynes, 32, of Newark Road, Gloucester, appeared in the Swindon dock following the death of Anthony Webster and Gillian Smith, both in their 80s and from the Buckingham area, on Monday.

The self-employed construction manager entered no pleas to two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after allegedly rear-ending a Range Rover.

Wearing chinos and a smart, collared shirt, Haynes spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth and kept his head bowed throughout the hearing.

It is said Haynes was behind the wheel of an Audi A5 when the car clipped the back of a Range Rover being driven along the A429 through Corston towards Chippenham at around 4.20pm.

Less than a minute later, the driver of the 4x4 came across the scene of a second accident.

Outlining the Crown’s case, prosecutor Kate Prince alleged Haynes had crashed into an oncoming Honda Jazz as he attempted to overtake a vehicle.

Two people, both passengers in the Honda, died at the scene of the crash.

Haynes was bailed by magistrates with conditions not to drive and to live and sleep at his home address. He is due to appear before Swindon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 18.

The Gloucester man entered pleas to two separate charges, relating to a crash on the A4 near Corsham on May 31 in which Haynes – driving a VW Golf – is said to have hit a Honda Jazz, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle and it ending up on its roof.

It is said he only reported the incident to police when he saw the damage to his own car after coming out of the Chippenham branch of Screwfix.

Haynes pleaded guilty to careless driving but denied failing to stop after a road accident. He will be tried on the failing to stop charge at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on December 16.

Haynes was represented in court by Luke Jameson.