Brianna Ghey: Teenager denies murdering 16-year-old

Brianna Ghey died after she was found with stab injuries in a park

One of two teenagers accused of murdering 16-year-old Brianna Ghey has pleaded not guilty.

The transgender girl from Birchwood, Warrington, died after she was found with fatal stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park on 11 February.

Two 16-year-olds, a boy and a girl, who cannot be named due to their age, were charged with her murder.

Only one of the defendants entered the plea at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court in a brief hearing earlier.

Reporting restrictions prevent the identification of which of the defendants entered the plea.

Parents of both teenagers, who appeared separately in the dock, were in court for the hearing.

Mrs Justice Yip told the court: "It's a case in which I know emotions are likely to run high, that's very understandable. There has been a lot of publicity about it already.

"We're going to make sure that this case proceeds in a calm manner in court in a way that is going to be entirely fair to everybody."

A further hearing will be held on 4 October.

A trial has been set for 27 November and is expected to last three weeks.

Candlelit vigils were held across the UK after Brianna's death

The girl, from Warrington, and the boy, from Leigh, are both currently held in secure accommodation.

Thousands of people attended candlelit vigils across the UK after Brianna's death.

In a tribute, her family described her as "beautiful, witty and hilarious".

They said she was "strong, fearless and one of a kind" with a "larger-than-life character".