Man in cout over 'car theft' death

A man appeared in court today accused of the murder of a woman mown down with her own car.

Lynda Hankey, 42, suffered fatal head injuries when she was flung into the air off the bonnet of her yellow MG sports car.

Ms Hankey was allegedly trying to stop it being driven off from outside her home in Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, on Thursday.

Today Shaun Higgins, 23, of Church Street, Leigh, near Wigan, appeared before the town's magistrates accused of murder and aggravated vehicle taking.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

His solicitor Peter Antrobus made no application for bail and Higgins was remanded to custody.

Chairman of the bench, Patrick Else, adjourned the case to 9 February at Liverpool Crown Court.