Teenager 'accepts his driving caused death' of PC David Phillips
THE TEENAGER charged with the murder of PC David Phillips has accepted his driving caused the death of the officer and "extended his apologies" to his family.
Clayton Williams, 18, has been charged with the murder of PC David Phillips
Clayton Williams maintains he did not intend to harm the policeman while behind the wheel after being pursued by police following a burglary in Merseyside.
The 18-year-old is accused of deliberately driving a Mitsubishi pick-up truck into PC Phillips, killing the father-of-two.
PC Phillips, 34, was trying to use a "stinger" type device to puncture the pick-up truck's wheels when he was struck in Dock Road, Wallasey.
Williams, of Prenton, Wirral, has been denied bail after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court via video link on Friday.
His solicitor Andrew Egerton issued a statement on behalf of the defendant saying: "From the outset at the police station, Mr Williams has accepted that his actions and his driving caused the death of Pc Phillips.
"However he is adamant that he did not drive at the officer and that he did not intend to injure, let alone kill him.
"He has consistently expressed his profound remorse and extended his apologies through to the police to Pc Phillips' young family."
He is yet to enter a plea to any of the charges he faces.
A sketch Clayton Williams in court
Mr Williams has accepted that his actions and his driving caused the death of Pc Phillips
Williams is also accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to PC Thomas Birkett, who jumped out of the way as the car ploughed into PC Phillips.
The 18-year-old faces additional charges for the initial burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking during the break-in at an estate agent's in Oxton, Merseyside, on Monday, when a cash till, fishing equipment and electrical items were stolen.
The teenager was charged on Wednesday with the murder of PC Phillips.
Clayton Williams, 18, charged with the murder of PC David Phillips
Williams, who spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood proceedings, looked emotionless through the 15-minute hearing.
The defendant, dressed in a grey shirt, replied "Yeah" when asked if he understood that his bail had been denied.
The teenager will be remanded in custody until he next appears at Liverpool Crown Court on October 22.
Phillip Stuart, 30, charged with aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and burglary, will also appear in court.
Three members of the public, a woman and a man in their 50s and a man in his 20s, who appeared to be family of Williams, were sat in the public gallery.
Judge Alan Conrad QC told Williams there were grounds for not granting bail and said a trial was likely in February of next year to be held outside of Liverpool.
PC David Phillips with is wife and two daughters