Boy Denies Murder of Teenage Girl Found in Park

A 14-year-old boy has denied murdering Lilly Jones, a teenage girl whose body was found in Duffryn Park in Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, on June 22. Lilly, also 14, had been reported missing by her family two days prior to her discovery. Emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene, with the cause of death determined to be multiple stab wounds to the neck and body.

During a hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder. The boy, from the Blaina Gwent area, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and a dark-colored tie, accompanied by four security officers. He softly responded when asked to enter his plea. Both Lilly's and the defendant's families were present in the courtroom for the proceedings.

A trial date has been scheduled for November 23. Lilly Jones was previously remembered by loved ones as "the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl" who was "completely and utterly herself."