A man charged with causing the death of police officer Ian Walker by dangerous driving has made his first appearance at court.

Jan Tokar, 20, appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Saturday, charged with death by dangerous driving and driving with no insurance.

PC Walker, aged 51, was pronounced dead at the scene after he was involved in a head-on collision with a Nissan Almera car as he rode his Suzuki motorcycle along Bolton Road, Bradford, at 6.40am last Wednesday on a journey to work.

Tokar, of Sunningdale, Girlington, who has worked as a packer in Bradford since January, was also driving to work when the incident happened.

He spoke once in court to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Tokar, who has dark hair and was wearing a dark blue jumper, cried briefly when he saw members of his family in the courtroom.

A female translator interpreted the comments of prosecuting solicitor Michael Wrigglesworth and his own solicitor Paul Brunskill during the 15-minute hearing.

The court heard that Tokar had moved to Bradford from Slovakia 18 months ago. He lived in a house with his brother, who had been in the UK for seven years.

Several other members of his family also live in the area, including Tokar's mother and father.

An application for bail by Mr Brunskill was refused. David Shannon, chairman of the magistrates bench, announced that Tokar would be remanded in custody to appear at Bradford Crown Court via video link on October 23.

If found guilty, Tokar could face a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison, Mr Wrigglesworth told the court. The family of PC Walker have spoken about his joy about his planned marriage to his fiancee Sarah and how he was enjoying his new job with the Bradford North police division's roads policing department based at Toller Lane police station.

PC Walker also had a part-time acting career, playing regular parts in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and A Touch of Frost.

A statement released on behalf of his fiancee Sarah, his parents, brother and two children, said he faced all aspects of his life with "boundless energy and enthusiasm."

The statement described him as a "deeply passionate man, particularly when he was faced with injustice or cruelty."

He had owned a motorbike since his days as a paper boy.

Two other men arrested last week in connection PC Walker's death have been released without charge.

e-mail: will.kilner@ bradford.newsquest.co.uk