Refresh automatically On | Off 2:51 pm Neil Docking BAIL REFUSED
Bail has been refused for Cooper and Smith.
All five defendants have been remanded in custody.
That concludes today’s hearing.
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2:32 pm Neil Docking BAIL APPLICATIONS
Bail applications are being held for Cooper and Smith.
The court has now gone into chambers while there are heard, meaning all members of the press and public must leave the courtroom.
We should know the result of the bail applications shortly.
2:32 pm Neil Docking DATES
Mr Unsworth says a trial was originally expected to last two to three weeks and will now last three weeks as there are five defendants.
Clarke can be heard crying over the video link. The other defendants are silent.
The court hears a plea and case management hearing will be held at this court on January 8 next year.
Judge Conrad says a trial has been set for March 7 next year before Mr Justice Davies at Preston Crown Court.
It is expected to last three weeks.
All five are currently in custody.
2:14 pm Neil Docking VIDEO LINK
The defendants are appearing via video link from HMP Altcourse, HMP Liverpool and HMP Styal.
Williams, with dark hair, is wearing a white sweatshirt. He is sat with Smith, with short black hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt.
Stuart, with short dark hair, is wearing a white polo shirt.
Blonde-haired Clarke, wearing a white top and black cardigan, and Cooper, with dark hair and wearing a grey top, are sat together.
2:11 pm Neil Docking PRELIMINARY HEARING
Today is a preliminary hearing before Judge Alan Conrad, QC.
Ian Unsworth, QC, is prosecuting.
Williams, 18, is defended by Tim Forte.
He is alleged to have taken a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary in Birkenhead.
It is alleged that as he was being pursued by police, he drove the vehicle directly at PC Phillips, killing the dad-of-two.
Williams 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.
He also faces additional charges relating to the initial burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking of the pick-up truck during a break-in at an estate agent’s in Oxton, on Monday, October 5, when a cash till, fishing equipment and electrical items were stolen.
1:55 pm Neil Docking PC DAVE PHILLIPS
A teenager accused of murdering Merseyside PC Dave Phillips is to appear at Liverpool Crown Court.
Clayton Williams, 18, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, is alleged to have taken a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary in Birkenhead.
He is accused of driving it directly at the dad-of-two while being pursued by police.
Solicitor representing Williams say he is “adamant he did not intend to injure, let alone kill” PC Phillips.
The officer was trying to use a “stinger” type device to puncture the pick-up truck’s wheels when he was struck in Dock Road, Wallasey. He later died in hospital.
Co-accused Philip Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court, Prenton, is also due to appear on charges of burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking.
Three people charged with assisting an offender will then appear in court.
Georgia Clarke, 19, of Knowsley Road, Wallasey; Dawn Cooper, 34, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey; and Michael Smith, 19, of Widmore Road, Gateacre; all face a single charge of burning and attempting to dispose of the clothing of a murder suspect.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/