Victim ‘of sword murder’

A teenager charged with murdering 31-year-old man with a sword has been remanded in custody.

Justin Romano, 19, and two others allegedly stabbed Mirko Naramcic to death in Richmond-upon-Thames on 17 March.

Romano appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Wandsworth and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Prosecutor Peter Ratliff said: ‘The position is the defendant is charged with the murder of Mirko Naramcic on the 17th of March of this year in Richmond.

‘The defendant was arrested on the 31st of March, charged on the 1st of April and sent by the Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court the following day, that is, the 2nd of April.

‘There are two other young men who have also been charged with this murder.

‘They have both appeared before this court.

‘[The] three cases will be joined at the next hearing.’

Mr Ratliff told the court that Mr Naramcic was ‘stabbed repeatedly but significantly by a sword which penetrated his body’.

The 31-year-old died shortly after the stabbing and his friends were also injured in the same incident.

‘The prosecution’s case is this defendant was a party to the group that pursued and then killed the victim.’

Judge Sarah Munro, QC, remanded Romano in custody ahead of his plea and trial preparation hearing on 10 June.

Romano, of Burrett Road, Kingston, faces the charge of murder.