A man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in an alleged hit-and-run collision.

Connor Marsden, 23, did not enter pleas when he appeared before magistrates in Newcastle on Saturday morning.

He is charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing stop after an accident.

Melissa Tate was hit by a vehicle in the Kenton area of Newcastle shortly after 6.30pm on Wednesday. She died a day later.

Specialist officers are supporting the girl’s family.

Marsden, who is from the Kenton area, is also charged with causing death by driving while uninsured, causing death by driving while not having a licence, failure to report to police following an accident, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on 28 October.

An online fundraising page in memory of Melissa has raised more than £6,000 since it was launched following her death.

Family members have said on social media that her organs have been donated in the hope that they can help save other children.

Northumbria Police Chief Inspector Chris Grice said of Melissa’s death: “This is understandably a difficult time for the family and it is something that nobody should have to go through.”

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