Boys deny murder of 13-year-old

Two boys appeared in court charged with the murder of Jahziah Coke, 13

Two boys accused of murdering a 13-year-old have pleaded not guilty at a court hearing.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons and whose ages have not been revealed, were charged after Jahziah Coke was fatally stabbed in Oldbury, Sandwell, on 29 August.

His alleged killers appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday alongside a man in his 40s, who also cannot be named for legal reasons.

The juveniles denied a charge of murder while the adult pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender between 29 August and 1 September.

Judge Michael Chambers KC told the court a trial date would be fixed for early next year, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for 16 December.

The adult defendant was remanded to an unnamed prison, while the others were remanded to secure youth detention accommodation.