Man killed in lorry crash was due in court to face charges of sexually touching young girl

An alleged paedophile was killed in a car crash on the morning he was to appear in court.

Scott Proudlock was killed when his white transit van ploughed into the back of a parked lorry on the side of the A64.

The 43-year-old, from the Malton area, was due to appear at York Crown Court charged with three counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and making indecent photos of a child.

After news of his death reached the court, Proudlock’s case was adjourned to December 5 so the judge could receive official confirmation, according to York Press.

A friend of the victim’s family said he chose the coward’s way out and put ‘other people’s lives at risk’ after Monday’s crash.

He added: ‘He avoided the judge but we all know the selfish monster he is’.

North Yorkshire Police say the lorry driver wasn’t injured in the crash and is helping them with their enquiries.

Images from the scene show a big curtain being pulled over a stationary Volvo HGV parked in a layby at the side of the road.

The A64 was initially closed in both directions on Monday morning causing miles of traffic.

North Yorkshire Police put out a traffic alert at the time and a spokesman subsequently said: ‘Please be aware there is a full road closure on the A64 between the A19 junction westbound and the A1064 junction eastbound whilst we deal with a collision.

‘Please avoid the area if you can, and use alternative routes where possible while emergency services work at the scene. Otherwise, there are diversions in place so please follow these.

‘Thank you for your understanding.’

They added: ‘We are now appealing for any witnesses to the collision, anyone who may have seen the transit van prior to the collision, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage, to contact us.’

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they received an emergency call to reports of a collision on the A64 and two ambulances attended the scene.