THE 18-year-old teenager accused of killing police constable Dave Phillips by driving a car at him appeared before a crown court judge for the first time today, Friday.

Clayton Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, Wirral, is accused of killing the father-of-two as he was trying to stop burglars escaping in a stolen vehicle in the early hours of Monday morning.

PC Phillips was killed when he was hit by a stolen Mitsubishi L200 Challenger when he was trying to use a "stinger" type device to puncture the pick-up truck's wheels in Dock Road, Wallasey.

His colleague, PC Thomas Birkett managed to jump out the way but 34-year-old PC Phillips died in hospital.

Williams appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from Altcourse Prison and during the 10 minute long hearing Williams, who was wearing a dark grey top, spoke only to confirm his identity and that he could hear clearly.

Henry Riding, prosecuting, said that the trial was expected to take between two to three weeks and Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said that it was likely it would take place before a High Court judge in Preston in February.

Williams is additionally charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to PC Birkett, burglary of an estate agents in Oxton, Wirral, involving stealing a cash till, fishing equipment, electrical items and vehicle keys and aggravated vehicle taking.

Williams - who did not apply for bail, which the Crown said they opposed - was further remanded in custody for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, October 22.

He will appear alongside another man, 30-year-old Philip Mark Stuart, of Mayfair Court, Prenton - who is charged with aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and the burglary.