A teenager has apologised to the family of a Merseyside police officer, after accepting his driving caused the man’s death, but is adamant he did not intend to kill him, his solicitor has said.
PC David Phillips, 34, a father of two, died in hospital shortly after he was struck by a pickup truck taken during a burglary and pursued by police. Clayton Williams, 18, has been charged with the murder of the officer and has not entered a plea to any of the charges he faces.
After a hearing at Liverpool crown court, during which Williams appeared via video link, his solicitor, Andrew Egerton, issued a statement on behalf of the defendant.
“There has understandably been a lot of media coverage in relation to the tragic death of PC Dave Phillips,” it read.
“We would simply ask that it be born 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 was told he was not eligible for bail and he was remanded in custody until 22 October. Wearing a black T-shirt, he spoke only to confirm his name and to confirm if he could hear proceedings.
He is accused of the murder of Phillips after allegedly being the driver of the Mitsubishi pickup 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 Phillips.
Williams faces additional charges for the initial burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking of the pickup 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.
Phillips was trying to use a “stinger” type device to puncture the pickup truck’s wheels when he was struck in Dock Road, Wallasey.
Co-defendant Philip Mark Stuart, 30, of Prenton, Wirral, is accused of burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking and death caused by an accident, after allegedly being carried in the Mitsubishi.
Phillips’ family paid an emotional tribute to the officer at a press conference this week. His sister Hannah Whieldon said just hours before his final fatal shift he and his wife, Jennifer, were filming one of their daughters.
“Two girls have been left without a daddy,” said Whieldon. “My mum and dad left without their only son, their eldest child. My sister and I without the big brother who always kept an eye on us, even when as moody teenagers we’d have really rather he hadn’t.
“But beyond all our combined grief – which, believe me, makes it hard to breathe – is that of his beautiful wife Jen.”
