A Swanley man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a former Eltham and Downham firefighter, who died following a crash in Farningham.

Biker James Moyle, known as Jim, died on November 22 last year in Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill.

The Kemsing resident’s black KTM motorbike had hit a blue Vauxhall Vectra on the A20 three days earlier, at around 6.30pm on November 19.

The man accused of causing his death through careless or inconsiderate driving, Konrad Bartoszewski, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 3).

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The 25-year-old, of Ladds Way, asked for his case to be heard at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Moyle, who is originally from Croydon, joined London Fire Brigade (LFB) in 1992, and later became watch manager at Downham before transferring to Eltham.

The 47-year-old’s family, including wife of 28 years Kate and daughters Emily, 18, and Bethany, 10, paid tribute to Mr Moyle at the time of his death.

Your Local Guardian:

Mr Moyle with his family

They said: “James loved and cared for his family and everyone around him.

“When the 7/7 bombings occurred, he was attending their second child’s baby scan but left the hospital to support his crew and the public.

“James was caring and extremely good fun. Very well liked and loved in both his community at home and in the London Fire Brigade.

“In September he joined the fire investigations team and was thoroughly enjoying learning this new role.”

The Fire Brigade’s Union, London region, paid tribute to the father-of-two on Facebook, describing his as “an absolute gent” and “a shining example of an officer in the London Fire Brigade”.