The teenager charged over the death of Merseyside Police officer PC David Phillips has pleaded not guilty to his murder.
Clayton Williams, 18, stole a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary in Birkenhead on October 5 and is alleged to have struck PC Phillips during an attempt to evade police, killing him.
Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video-link from HMP Altcourse today, where he also denied attempted grievous bodily harm with intent on PC Phillips’ colleague, PC Thomas Birkett.
However he pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.
Williams broke into an estate agent in Oxton alongside 30-year-old Philip Stuart, stealing a cash till, fishing equipment and electrical items as well as keys to the pick-up truck.
Stuart, of Mayfair Court, Prenton, also pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking today.
The pair stole the truck from outside the premises and were pursued by police.
PC Dave Phillips
A trial, due to last two to three weeks, has been set for March 7 at Manchester Crown Court.
The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said: “It is, whatever the gravity of the case, a relatively straight forward issue.”
Georgia Clarke, 19, of Knowsley Road, Wallasey; Dawn Cooper, 34, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey; and Michael Smith, 19, of Widmore Road, Gateacre, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist an offender.
The three disposed of clothing belonging to Williams, with intent to impede the police investigation.
All the defendants will be sentenced after the outcome of the trial and were remanded in custody.
Another man, Glen Nicholas-Jones, 40, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey was cleared of assisting an offender and released from custody. PC Phillips had served with the force for more than nine years and leaves his wife Jen, 28, and daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three, who described him as their “super daddy”.
Thousands of mourners and police officers lined the streets ahead of his funeral at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral in November.
David Phillips
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Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/