Aria Thorpe: Teenager denies murdering nine-year-old girl
Aria Thorpe died from a single stab wound at her home on 15 December last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
A teenage boy accused of stabbing a nine-year-old girl to death has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, is charged with killing Aria Thorpe in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on 15 December last year.
He appeared in the dock in a white shirt and red tie and looked straight ahead throughout the 20 minute hearing.
Prosecutor Ray Tully KC told the court the trial is expected to last two weeks.
Judge Martin Picton confirmed reporting restrictions preventing the identity of the defendant from being published would continue, and that he would remain in custody until his trial.
