TEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER

15-year-old in court after 9-year-old found stabbed to death

-  LUCY THORNTON

A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared yesterday and spoke only to confirm his name and address during the brief hearing, which his father attended.

Flanked by three dock officers and wearing a grey prison tracksuit at Bristol magistrates court, the teenager was remanded into custody by District Judge Nicholas Wattam.

His next court appearance will be at Bristol crown court tomorrow.

A post-mortem examination found Aria died from a single wound, Avon and Somerset Police said.