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The teenager accused of murdering on-duty PC Dave Phillips has accepted his driving caused the death of the popular police officer.

Clayton Williams, 18, also "extended his apologies" to the officer's family, a statement from his solicitor said.

The teenager, 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.

(Image: PA)

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At the end of the brief hearing, his solicitor Andrew Egerton issued a statement 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.

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

"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."

The teenager was yesterday pictured smiling and holding up his handcuffs for the camera as he left court in a prison van.

Clayton Ronald Williams, 18, was remanded in custody after he appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court charged with the 34-year-old dad-of-two's murder.

PC Phillips was killed on Monday after he was struck by a vehicle as he attempted to use a "stinger" device to stop a runaway car.

The car mounted a central reservation towards the officer and his colleague.

Williams is accused of stealing a Mitsubishi pick-up truck during a burglary and driving it at the officer.

Williams also faces charges of attempted wounding against a second officer, PC Thomas Birkett, burglary and aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle.

ACCUSED TEEN KEPT HEAD DOWN FOR MOST OF COURT HEARING

A packed court room yesterday watched on as Williams spoke to confirm his name, age and address - which he said was no fixed abode.

Wearing a grey T-shirt with a dark T-shirt beneath he remained standing as he was dealt with by chair of the bench Alan Smith.

(Image: PA)

Three police officers guarded the door to the court, next to press benches crammed with reporters.

There was a heavy police presence outside the courtroom with officers in the corridors and more police outside the court building.

Williams kept his head down for most of the hearing, occasionally scanning the courtroom.

He nodded as Mr Smith told him he would be remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court and replied, “Yeh,” when asked if he understood proceedings.

A preliminary hearing was set for October 22 at Liverpool Crown Court.

(Image: PA)

Also in court yesterday was Philip Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court in Oxton.

Stuart, who has only one arm, appeared separately to face accusations of aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and burglary.

Four suspects held over the PC Phillips murder investigation were released on bail yesterday morning.

The 19-year-old woman, 34-year-old woman, 39-year old man and 59-year-old woman, who are all from Wallasey, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and questioned at police stations in Merseyside.