A MAN charged with taking part in a robbery which ended with a police officer dead has appeared before court.

Austin Ante-Taylor, 19, of Oak Lodge Avenue, in Chigwell, is said to have been involved in an aggravated robbery in Dagenham before driving off with other suspects.

After a police chase, officers attempted to stop the car on the Leyton/Stratford border in London and PC Gary Toms is said to have left his car to confront the suspects.

The alleged robbers failed to stop and PC Toms is said to have been crushed against his own vehicle dying in hospital six days later from head injuries.

His widow, Claire Toms, told the Daily Mail: “Gary was a much loved man, greatly respected by family and friends. We are extremely proud of all he achieved in his life. He will be deeply missed.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson paid tribute to PC Toms adding: "It shows us all that the potential dangers officers face when doing their duty are never far away.

"To lose such a young and promising officer is the most tragic of losses for his family - my most sincere condolences to them.

"This is also a loss that the wider Met family should not, and never will, forget."

Chief Superintendent Bill Tillbrook, head of the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, said: "Gary was a dedicated officer who died doing the job he had trained to do.

"He was a hard working police officer who was known amongst his colleagues for his sense of humour and professional attitude."

Mr Ante-Taylor appeared before Barking and Dagenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday April 22 charged with robbery, and was remanded in custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on June 24.

Three other people have been charged with robbery in relation to the incident in Dagenham.