Yahoo News Police Officer Death: Man Appears In Court
A man has appeared in court accused of murdering PC Dave Phillips, who was killed while trying to stop burglars in a stolen truck.
Clayton Ronald Williams was remanded in custody during the hearing at Wirral Magistrates' Court.
The 18-year-old, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, Merseyside, is accused of stealing a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary and driving it at PC Phillips, killing the father-of-two.
PC Phillips was trying to use a "stinger" type device to puncture the vehicle's wheels when he was hit on Dock Road in Wallasey in the early hours of Monday.
Williams, who was dressed in a grey T-shirt and jogging bottoms and stood handcuffed to a prison officer in the dock, is also accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to PC Phillips' colleague, PC Thomas Birkett, who jumped out of the way.
In addition, he faces charges of burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking of the pick-up truck, which was taken during a break-in at an estate agents in Oxton, Merseyside, on Monday.
Williams spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the two-minute hearing.
Prosecutor Helen Graves asked for the defendant to remain in handcuffs for the hearing and this application was granted by the magistrates.
Three police officers guarded the entrance to the courtroom, with more officers in the corridors and a police presence outside the court building.
Williams kept his head lowered for most of the hearing, occasionally looking around the courtroom.
He nodded as Alan Smith, chairman of the bench, told him he would be remanded in custody and would next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday morning at 10am.
Williams replied with "Yeah" when asked if he understood proceedings.
His co-accused, Philip Mark Stuart, was brought into court after a brief adjournment.
Stuart, of Mayfair Court, Prenton, Wirral, is also accused of aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and burglary.
He wore a grey sweatshirt and jogging bottoms and spoke only to confirm his name and provide his address.
Stuart was also remanded in custody and will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 22 October.
No application for bail was made and Ms Graves said any application at a later date would be opposed.
Four people who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released on bail pending further inquiries, police said.
The vehicle was stolen at around 1am during the burglary and police pursued the truck for 40 minutes before the fatal crash.
It was later found dumped in a cul-de-sac a quarter of a mile away in Corbyn Street, Wallasey.
