Man in court over car river plunge with children

A man appeared in court today charged with attempting to murder his five-year-old daughter and six-year-old son, who were rescued after a car plunged into a river.

Christopher Grady, who spoke only once during a five-minute hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, was told he will face a murder charge following the death of his daughter, Gabrielle.

The 41-year-old, of no fixed address, was arrested last Thursday after a car plunged into the River Avon in Evesham, Worcestershire, leaving Gabrielle critically ill.

The defendant, whose daughter died in hospital three days after being freed from the submerged vehicle by police divers, was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before Mrs Justice Rafferty.

The judge remanded Grady in custody and ordered him to reappear at the same court for a plea hearing on May 31, when a murder charge is expected to be added to the indictment.

Gabrielle's brother Ryan is said to be recovering well after being rescued from the Avon by two police officers.

Both Gabrielle, who was trapped underwater for almost two hours, and Ryan were airlifted to Birmingham's Children's Hospital after the Vauxhall estate went into the river.

In a statement issued following Gabrielle's death, her mother Kim Wise paid tribute to her as "the cutest angel there has ever been".