Boy, 16, waits for trial after denying murder

A 16-year-old boy has denied murdering a man in his 20s.

The teenager appeared before a judge at St Albans Crown Court on Friday accused of murdering Daniel Ceidi, 27, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, in March.

He entered a not guilty plea and was remanded in custody by Judge Jonathan Mann.

Judge Mann said a trial was due to start on 23 September.

The teenager spoke only to confirm his name and enter a plea at Friday's hearing.

A judge has made an order barring the teenager, who will turn 17 in July, from being identified in media reports of the case.

Barristers Tomas McGarvey, who represented the teenager, and Neil Moore, who represented the prosecution, discussed administrative issues with the judge during a 20-minute hearing.

The judge said a pre-trial hearing was due to be take place on 15 September.

Hertfordshire Police had said the boy was arrested in London after a man died following a stabbing.

They said officers had been called to reports of a fight near Parkhouse Court, Hatfield, at about 13:10 GMT on 23 March.

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