Aidan McAteer in court over Violet-Grace Youens hit-and-run death

A man has appeared in court charged over the death of a four-year-old girl in a hit-and-run crash last Friday.

Violet-Grace Youens died in hospital in her mother's arms the day after the incident in St Helens, Merseyside.

She was hit by a suspected stolen Ford Fiesta while walking in the town with her grandmother, Angela French, who was injured in the crash.

Aidan McAteer appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and stealing a black Ford Fiesta on 20 March.

The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 26 April.

That is along with another man, Dean Brennan, 27, who appeared before the same court on Wednesday charged with assisting an offender, theft of a motor vehicle and being carried in a stolen vehicle.

McAteer had been sought by police following the crash.

Earlier this week, his mother, Alicia McAteer, 41, appealed for him to return home.

Violet-Grace's mother, Rebecca Youens, paid tribute to her daughter.

"My beautiful baby girl passed away in my arms on 25/03/2017 at 23:38," she said in a Facebook post.

"However, my brave baby girl saved two lives by donating her kidneys and pancreas.

"I am truly heartbroken but proud of my little fighter."

A fundraising page set up in the youngster's memory has raised more than £18,000.

A third man, aged 23 and from Prescot, Merseyside, was arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. He was released pending further inquiries.