THREE people appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a holidaymaker who was knocked down and killed trying to stop an alleged car thief.

Michael Howard, 57, from Hesketh Bank, near Preston was unloading his luggage outside Liverpool John Lennon Airport when he was run over and killed by his own car while his wife Elaine looked on.

Two men and a youth, all from the Speke area of Merseyside, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with murder and conspiracy to steal.

Craig Abbott, 21, from Carley Walk, Neil Dolan, 20, from Yeardon Walk, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses. No pleas were entered.

* A FOURTH man appeared in court yesterday afternoon charged with conspiracy to steal along with Abbott, Dolan and the 17-year-old youth.

Jamie English, 19, from Camp Road, Woolton, Merseyside, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.