Duo charged over Philippa’s death
TWO men appeared in court in Londonderry on Monday, charged over the death of Constable Philippa Reynolds.
The Nutts Corner girl died in a crash involving a stolen Land Cruiser at the Limavady Road, Derry, at 3.40am on Saturday.
Shane Christopher Frane, of Simon Community, Bonds Hill, in the city’s Waterside is charged with causing the death of Philippa Reynolds by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking causing death and driving whilst unfit.
The 25-year-old, who is alleged to have been the driver of the car, is further charged with burglary, criminal damage, and having no insurance or licence.
He is also accused of failing to stop or remain at the scene of the accident at Dales Corner and failing to report it.
Conor Tyrone Clarence, who also has an address at Simon Community, Bonds Hill, is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking causing death, burglary and criminal damage on February 9.
The 23-year-old, who was a passenger in the car, is further charged with assisting offenders by changing clothes in an apparent attempt to disguise identity.
Both defendants were arrested in a flat in the Simon Community hostel, six hours after the fatality.
A detective constable told District Judge Barney McElholm he believed he could connect the defendants to all the charges.
Solicitor David Brewster, representing Clarence, said his client had given a full account of his role.
The detective constable confirmed that during interview, Clarence stated that he was the front seat passenger in the stolen Land Cruiser.
He said he had fully cooperated with the police and had admitted his role and expressed his remorse.
Mr Brewster said that at this early opportunity, the defendant wanted to publicly express his apology for his role in the tragedy.
As the remand hearing ended, District Judge Barney McElholm said the court also wished to express its condolences to Constable Reynolds’ family, friends and colleagues for what he described as her senseless and needless loss of life.
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Weather for Antrim
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
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