A CAR thief jailed for the manslaughter of Wirral policeman Dave Phillips lost his appeal against his sentence.

Clayton Williams, 20, was sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter last March and appeared at the Court of Appeal today.

President of the Queen's Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson said: “In our judgement, although undoubtedly severe, he cannot have any complaint about the sentence passed upon him.

"It was thoroughly deserved.

"Condign and severe punishment will be imposed on all those who kill and injure police officers who, acting in the course of their public duty, do their best to keep the public from harm.”

Constable Phillips, 34, was struck by a stolen Mitsubishi L200 Challenger after deploying a tyre deflator stinger in a bid to bring the vehicle to a halt during a high-speed chase in October 2015.

Wirral Globe:

PC Dave Phillips with his wife Jen and his two daughters

His colleagues tried to save his life before he was rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival.

A Home Office post-mortem examination said PC Phillips died from internal injuries suffered in the impact with the vehicle.

Jurors at Manchester Crown Court cleared Williams of murder and convicted him of the alternative count of manslaughter, after finding that he did not intend to kill or seriously injure the officer.