Man accused of north Belfast road death ‘expressed remorse’

A man accused of killing a young mother in a stolen car in north Belfast on Thursday has expressed remorse and sorrow to police, a court has heard.

Lisa Gow, a mother-of-two in her 30s who lived locally, had been walking along the footpath on the Ballysillan Road at around 11am when she was knocked down.

Shortly before the collision the Audi A4 was being pursued by police in the area. Police have said a stinger device was used in a bid to stop it while on the Antrim Road but ended the chase when it failed to stop.

The vehicle then headed onto the Ballysillan Road, colliding with another vehicle before striking and killing the female pedestrian.

The Police Ombudsman's Office is investigating the circumstances behind the crash.

Thirty-nine-year-old Martin Nelson from Ardoyne Road faces a series of charges linked to the crash.

The most serious - causing death by dangerous driving – as well as failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He is further charged with burglary, aggravated vehicle theft, and taking and driving a motor vehicle away.

The accused was due to appear in the dock at Laganside Court on Friday morning to have the charges read to him.

However the court was told he refused to come up from the holding cell and the Judge then decided to go ahead with the remand hearing in his absence.

During the hearing his defence solicitor did not contest his client being connected to the charges.

He added he had made full admissions to police and during questioning had told police of his remorse and sorrow for the victim.

There was no application for bail and Nelson was remanded in custody in his absence to appear again by video-link on 18 May.