Vladimir Motin, 59, the Russian captain of a container ship that crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea, has pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey to the manslaughter of a crew member. His boat Solong collided with the tanker Stena Immaculate off the coast of Yorkshire on March 10.

Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died after there was an explosion in the forward deck of the Solong where he was working. Meanwhile, 23 people on the tanker were rescued, along with 13 crew from on the Solong. A previous hearing was told that the crash took place 10.2 nautical miles from the coast.

As reported by Sky News, the Solong, which was 140 metres long, was carrying over 150 containers. The 183 metre-long Stena Immaculate was carrying jet fuel.

The Solong was travelling at around 15 knots when it crashed with the Stena Immaculate. The oil tanker had been anchored for around 15 hours before the collision.

Motin, of Primorsky in St Petersburg, appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from HMP Hull on Friday morning. He pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence with a further hearing set to be held on September 10.

The 59-year-old's trial will then take place on January 12 next year. A previous hearing at the Old Bailey on April 14 was adjourned due to the absence of an interpreter to help the Russian defendant.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @daily_express