A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of schoolgirl Ava White, 12.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was been remanded in secure accommodation after the hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, which was sitting as a youth court.
He was also charged with possession of a bladed article.
It comes after Ava was stabbed to death in Liverpool city centre last Thursday, November 25.
She had been in the city with friends following a Christmas lights switch-on when she suffered ‘catastrophic injuries’ in an assault at 8.39pm, Merseyside Police said.
Ava, who has been described as ‘popular’ and ‘bright’, was involved in a ‘verbal argument’ which escalated into an ‘assault on her with a knife’, the force said.
In court on Monday morning, the accused wore a grey tracksuit and sat in the dock for the five-minute session.
Thomas Hanlon, prosecuting, asked for the case to be sent to Liverpool Crown Court and for the defendant to be remanded in youth detention accommodation until then.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd said: ‘Because this is a murder case it has to go to the crown court, that is the only place murder cases can be tried.
‘I am formally sending it to the crown court for Wednesday morning.
‘Between now and then you are going to be kept in secure accommodation.’
Three other boys, aged 13 to 15, were also arrested and have been conditionally bailed with inquiries ongoing.
The force said a group ran off up School Lane, across Hanover Street and into Fleet Street after the incident took place.
Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later.
Flowers and balloons have been left in Church Street by those paying tribute to her.
On Saturday, officers issued an image of a van which they believe may have been occupied by key witnesses to the incident.
Detectives have urged people not to post names or comments on social media, particularly since it could impact legal proceedings.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Please trust us that we are doing all we can to investigate and update people on this tragic incident, and we do not want anything to jeopardise this.’
Ms Coombs urged anyone who captured the incident or aftermath to send images or footage to the force online, by visiting mipp.police.uk/operation/05MP21M43-PO1.
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