PC Dave Phillips murder trial: Accused 'used cannabis age six'

I found this story for my weekly news, on the BBC News web page. The story is said to be from Liverpool, however does not specify who it was written by. 

The story is based on the trial of a teenager who has been accused of deliberately running over and killing a police officer that has been a cannabis user since the age of six, as the court has heard.

Father-of-two PC Dave Phillips, 34, died when he was hit by a pick-up truck in Wallasey, Wirral, in October.

Clayton Williams, 19, had been buying drugs and had smoked a "spliff" before stealing the Mitsubishi truck, Manchester Crown Court heard. However, Mr Williams denies murder and claims he did not intend to injure the officer.

The court heard he had been out of jail for three weeks after another police pursuit when he crashed into a lamp post.

On the night of the crash, he claimed the drugs may have slowed his reactions when he ran over PC Phillips during an 80 mph police chase. When he was arrested, Mr Williams told police he had burgled Oxton Estates in Birkenhead, which he came across while walking back from buying "some weed".

He continued: "I thought and knew I had injured him. I did not realise I had killed him. I saw it on the news and I felt sick. "I did not intend to kill PC Phillips. I fully accept I am responsible for his death [due] to the manner of my driving."

The teenager has admitted a charge of burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

He denies murder, and also denies a second count of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to PC Thomas Birkett, 23, who had to dive out of the way after PC Phillips was hit.

A second man, Philip Stuart, 30, who was the passenger in the truck, has admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking, by being allowed to be carried in the Mitsubishi.

The trial still continues.