A driver from Belvedere has pleaded not guilty to killing the daughter of an Ecuadorian politician by dangerous driving.

Octavian Cadar, 38, is accused over the death of 27-year-old psychology graduate Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, who was known as Charlotte.

Ms Sagnay died following an incident on Bridgend Road, in Wandsworth, south London, on March 16 2022.

On Wednesday, Cadar appeared at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing before Judge Anthony Leonard.

The defendant denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, saying: “Not guilty, but guilty to careless driving.”

Members of the victim’s family and her fiance, Michael Williams, who witnessed the fatal incident, sat in court for the short hearing.

Judge Leonard set a five-day trial from July 29 with a pre-trial hearing on July 19.

Cadar, of Clydesdale Way, Belvedere, Bexley, south-east London, remains on unconditional bail.