THE man accused of causing the death of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens by dangerous driving has appeared in court this morning.

Aidan McAteer, 23, from Prescot,  is charged with causing the death of Violet-Grace Youens on Friday, March 24 by dangerous driving, causing serious injury to Angela French by dangerous driving on the same date and the theft of the vehicle used on Monday, March 20, from an address in Liverpool. 

He appeared at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Adult Remand Court, Derby Square, wearing grey Nike trousers and a blue sports top.

Bowing his head, McAteer spoke only to confirm his name, charges and lack of fixed address.

He has been remanded into custody and will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on April 26, alongside co-accused Dean Brennan. 

Brennan has been charged with assisting an offender, theft of a motor vehicle and the aggravating offence of allowing oneself to be carried within a stolen vehicle.

Violet-Grace Youens died in hospital on Saturday night following the incident.

Her gran Angela French, 55, who was also hit in the incident, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.