Michael Little was praised by police for keeping his lorry under control

Michael Little, from Essex, died after a brick was thrown through his windscreen from a bridge over the motorway in Surrey in March.

Craig Harman, of Glamis Close in Frimley, Surrey, appeared at Woking Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

Mr Harman, a shop assistant, is next due in court at the Old Bailey.

Heart failure

As well as being accused of the murder of 53-year-old Mr Little, Mr Harman is charged with attempting to steal a Renault Clio car worth �1,700 and stealing two house bricks.

Mr Little, a driver for the Ford motor company who was from Hornchurch, suffered heart failure after the brick hit him on the chest at about 0030 GMT on 21 March in Camberley.

He was praised by police for keeping his 44-ton lorry under control and pulling over safely onto the hard shoulder before he collapsed.

Mr Harman spoke only to confirm his name and address during the 10-minute hearing.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 10 November.