A man was charged yesterday with causing the death of five-year-old Rachel Ritchie in a hit-and-run in Belfast last Saturday night. She died after being struck near her home at Parkview Terrace in the Woodvale area.
Mr David Spence (34), from Battenburg Street in the Shankill area, was charged with causing her death by dangerous driving and also injuring her mother, Mrs Margaret Ritchie, who is in hospital with serious leg injuries.
Mr Spence was also charged with taking his wife's Land-Rover Discovery, failing to stop and remain at the scene of the accident or report it, and driving without a licence.
Constable Peter Bates told Belfast Magistrates' Court that Mr Spence replied to the charges: "I am so sorry. My deepest sympathy to the family."
A prosecution lawyer asked for a remand in custody because of the seriousness of the charges, and concerns for Mr Spence's own safety in the area where he lived.
The constable told defence solicitor Mr Billy McNulty that Mr Spence had given himself up to the police.
Mr NcNulty handed into court an alternative address at which Mr Spence could reside if granted bail, but Constable Bates said he would not be happy with any address in the Belfast area.
Magistrate Mr Harry McKibben said the accident had shocked everyone and he extended sympathy to the Ritchie family. Because of the serious nature of the charges he refused bail and remanded Mr Spence in custody for a week.