PC Dave Phillips death: Teenager Clayton Williams 'accepts his driving' caused death of Merseyside police officer

The 18-year-old maintains that he did not intend to harm the father of two

Williams is due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday morning. (Facebook)

A teenager has accepted his driving caused the death of PC Dave Phillips and has “extended his apologies” to the officer's family, a statement from his solicitor said.

But Clayton Williams, 18, who is charged with murder, maintains he did not intend to harm the officer while behind the wheel of a pick-up truck taken during a burglary and being pursued by police.

PC Phillips, 34, a father of two, died in hospital shortly after the incident in Wallasey on Monday.

Williams appeared from HMP Altcourse via video-link at Liverpool Crown Court today where a judge decided he was not eligible for bail and he was remanded in custody until October 22.

PC Dave Phillips, pictured with his family, died in hospital on Monday (Merseyside Police)

After the brief hearing had concluded, his solicitor Andrew Egerton issued a statement to the press which he said was on behalf of the defendant.

It read: “There has understandably been a lot of media coverage in relation to the tragic death of PC Dave Phillips.

“We would simply ask that it be borne in mind that the coverage has by no means given the full picture.

“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.

“It is now time for the judicial process to take over and we would ask that all bear in mind Mr Williams' right to a fair trial.

“To be charged and to be convicted are very different and we therefore ask that Mr Williams not be tried in the media but rather in due course, by a judge and jury.”

Williams has not entered a plea to any of the charges he faces. Wearing a black T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and to confirm if he could hear proceedings.

He is accused of the murder of Pc Phillips after allegedly being the driver of the Mitsubishi pick-up truck taken during a burglary.

He is also charged with 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.

Williams faces additional charges for the initial burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking of the pick-up truck 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.

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's co-accused Philip Mark Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court, Prenton, Wirral, is accused of burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking and death caused by an accident, after allegedly being carried in the Mitsubishi.

Williams was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court for a preliminary hearing alongside his co-accused on October 22.

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.

PA