Aria Thorpe: Teenager denies murdering nine-year-old girl

A teenage boy accused of stabbing a nine-year-old girl to death has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, is charged with killing Aria Thorpe in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on 15 December last year. Aria was pronounced dead when police were called to her home in the Mead Vale area of the town at 18:09 GMT that day, and a coroner's court later heard she died from a single stab wound to her chest. On Friday, the boy appeared before Bristol Crown Court where he spoke only to enter his not guilty plea to murder, and a trial was listed for 15 June. In a tribute, Aria's father Tom Thorpe described her as a "brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul". Aria's family on her mother's side said she was "the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy". The defendant was arrested in nearby Worle at 18:19 on the day of her death. He appeared in the dock in a white shirt and red tie and looked straight ahead throughout the 20 minute hearing. Prosecutor Ray Tully KC told the court the trial is expected to last two weeks. Judge Martin Picton confirmed reporting restrictions preventing the identity of the defendan