Six teenagers deny murdering 16-year-old boy

Five youths and a teenage girl today denied the murder of a 16-year-old who was beaten with a baseball bat and stabbed.

Shakilus Townsend was attacked in Thornton Heath, south east London, in July last year and died in hospital the next day.

Tyrell Ellis and Danny McLean, both 18 and from Thornton Heath, denied murder when they appeared at the Old Bailey today.

Two youths aged 17, another aged 16, and the 16-year-old girl, none of whom can be named because of their ages, also pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Another 17-year-old youth, who also appeared in court charged with the murder, has not yet entered a plea.

An eight-week trial is expected to begin at the same court on April 15.