Michael Leach has pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

Michael Leach, 29, had been on the telephone talking to his sister for two minutes and 33 seconds when the line went dead, Exeter Crown Court was told.

She heard a loud scream when Mr Leach's Vauxhall Astra collided with a Ford Fiesta, killing passenger Jean Evans.

Mr Leach, of Kinnerton Way, Exeter, pleads not guilty to causing Mrs Evans's death by dangerous driving on the A30 near Marazanvose, Cornwall, on the night of 29 July last year.

Head-on collision

David Osbourne, prosecuting, told the courts Mr Leach was driving with his girlfriend to visit his parents in St Ives.

He said the defendant drove across the single carriageway road into the path of the Fiesta driven by David Evans, husband of the victim.

It appeared impossible for Mr Evans, from Tiverton, to avoid a virtual head-on collision said the prosecutor.

Mr Leach, who was also injured in the crash, later told police he had been travelling between 60 and 70mph.

"This case is really going to depend on the use of the defendant's mobile phone in the course of the journey," said Mr Osbourne.

The case continues.