A woman has appeared in court charged with causing the death of an 11-year-old boy by dangerous driving.

Hannah Saaf, of St Michael's Hill, Bristol, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court accused of killing Sam Riddall.

It is alleged that Saaf knocked down and killed Sam in Eastfield Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, on May 1, while driving a white Ford Focus estate, the court heard.

Saaf also faces charges of failing to stop at an accident, failing to report an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

Saaf, who spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, was remanded in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on May 19.

Prosecutor Gareth Giddings made an application for Saaf to be held in custody.

Defending counsel Ian Kelsey made no application for bail and asked for photographs of the scene to be supplied urgently, so an independent accident investigation could be completed.

Magistrate Marion Anderson remanded Saaf in custody and adjourned the case to May 19. A plea and case management hearing was fixed for August 17.

Last week, Sam's parents, Martin and Rachel Riddall, paid tribute to their son.

Mr Riddall, 45, a former RAF mechanic who works for Campus Crusade for Christ International, said: "Sam was the most wonderful of boys and we loved him very much. His smile could light up the darkest room and his attitude to life shone out of him like a light.

"He was passionate about football and he loved his brothers and us. He also knew he was loved by us very much indeed."

He added: "But we miss him very much indeed. And we wish he was here with us every second of the day."

The crash happened as Sam was walking along a pavement on Eastfield Road with Dr Peter Harbord, the father of one of his friends, and three other children.

The other children involved in the incident, all thought to be aged 11, were uninjured while Dr Harbord received minor injuries.

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