A power company is being prosecuted after a man out jogging in Saffron Walden was killed by an 11,000-volt cable.

Scientist Dr James Kew, 41, of Radwinter Road, Ashdon, a director of biology in GlaxoSmithKline’s research department in Stevenage, died instantly in the horror incident on July 24 2012.

An overhead power line had come down and was reported as being at head height in a field near Debden Road, Newport.

Now UK Power Neworks is in court after the death. It is accused of a health and safety offence in that between November 27, 2008 and July 31 2013 it failed to ensure that Dr James Kew and others were not exposed to risk of electrocution by coming into contact with a live conductor from a wholly or partly downed overhead power line.

No plea was entered by the company and magistrates have sent the case to Chelmsford Crown Court. The next hearing will be on January 11.

A jury at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court last year recorded a verdict that Dr Kew, who suffered severe burns, died accidentally.

Dr Kew, married with a family, was a key member of Saffron Striders Running Club and played for Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club.