Crossing death accused in court

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Jurors were shown CCTV of the couple in Colchester town centre

A man has appeared in court accused of dragging a mother-of-two across a track before she was hit by a train.

Darren Palmer, 39, denies manslaughter over the death of 29-year-old Kelly Mack at Hythe railway station in Colchester, Essex, in March 2008.

David Etherington QC, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said she was dragged across the line with "complete disregard of the obvious danger".

Level crossing barriers were down and a train was on its way into the station.

Mr Palmer is the father of Miss Mack's children. Jurors were told the couple lived in Clacton, Essex, and had been together for "some years".

Mr Etherington said Palmer wanted Miss Mack to join him on the Clacton-bound side of the line.

He pulled her across when level crossing barriers were down and a train was due to come through.

The case continues.