Man to fight allegations he caused elderly woman’s CBD road death

A 50-year-old air traffic controller will fight in court over allegations he caused the road death of a 81-year-old pedestrian.

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AN AIR traffic controller will fight allegations in an upcoming court hearing that he killed an 81-year-old woman in Hobart’s CBD by negligently running her down with his 4WD.

Paul Anthony Sciberras, 50, has previously pleaded not guilty to one count of negligent driving causing death and one count of driving without due care and attention dating back to April 30 last year.

The Oyster Cove resident was due to fight the charges at a two-day hearing later this month in the Hobart Magistrates Court.

However on Wednesday, the dates were changed to November 12 and 13 due to the availability of defence lawyer Craig Rainbird.

Mr Sciberras, who did not appear during the brief administrative hearing, remains on bail.

Police previously said that about 2.50pm on the day in question, an elderly Kingston Beach woman was struck by a car as she attempted to cross Victoria Street near the intersection of Harrington Street.

It is alleged Mr Sciberras struck the woman with his grey Nissan Pathfinder as he turned into Victoria Street, knocking her to the ground.

Magistrate Chris Webster

The octogenarian was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to the Royal Hobart Hospital with what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

However, she died a few days later on May 3.

According to court documents, police claimed Mr Sciberras failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to observe a pedestrian crossing, failed to manoeuvre his vehicle to avoid collision, and collided with a pedestrian and caused her death.

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