This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The teenage schoolboy accused of stabbing a 17-year-old in Greater Manchester has pleaded not guilty to murder.

The defendant, who cannot be named because he is under 18, is charged with murdering Yousef Makki, a pupil at the private Manchester grammar school.

Makki, who lived in Burnage, south Manchester, died after being stabbed on 2 March in Hale Barns, an affluent suburb in Trafford, near Cheshire.

The accused appeared via video link at Manchester crown court on Monday, accompanied by his parents, solicitor and members of the youth offending team.

He spoke only to confirm his name and indicate his not guilty plea. He did not issue a plea on three other counts: possession of a silver lock-knife, conspiracy to rob and perverting the course of justice.

He is due to stand trial on 18 June and has been bailed to an address outside Greater Manchester. He is banned from entering the region, apart from for legal appointments.