16-year-old boy denies murdering Somali salesman

A 16-year-old boy has denied murdering a Somali salesman who was stabbed to death just minutes from his home.

Osman Shidane, 20, was repeatedly knifed during a vicious attack opposite an Asda in Victoria Road, South Ruislip, west London, on 15 May this year.

Police were called at around 9pm to reports of a stabbing outside St Gregory the Great Catholic Church, where they found Mr Shidane with multiple stab wounds.

He was rushed by London Air Ambulance to hospital where he remained before dying three days later.

The teenage suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in The Fairway, Ruislip, the day after the stabbing and charged with murder on 19 May.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today (tues) to plead not guilty to a single charge of murder.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC remanded him in custody ahead of his trial which is set to last three weeks beginning 29 October.

Mr Shidane, born in Denmark to Somali parents, was the eldest of seven children who aspired to be an entrepreneur.

He had lived in London for 15 years, supported Arsenal and worked in sales for a utilities company.

The 16-year-old defendant, from Ruislip, will stand trial at the same court on 29 October.