Five youths and a teenage girl have appeared in court in connection with the killing of a 16-year-old from Deptford.

Shakilus Townsend of Tanners Hill was beaten with a baseball bat and repeatedly stabbed in Thornton Heath.

The boy, known to his family as Shaki, was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, where he underwent five hours of surgery before dying of complications just after midnight on July 4.

Tyrell Ellis, 18, from Thornton Heath, three youths aged 17, another youth aged 16 and a girl of 16 appeared at the Old Bailey today (October 16).

All six were remanded in custody.

A trial date has been set for April 15 next year.