Accused Jodie killers in court

Two men accused of murdering girl scout Jodie Chesney have appeared in court.

Jodie, 17, was stabbed in the back as she listened to music with friends at a park in Harold Hill, east London, on March 1.

Friends battled to save Jodie, but she collapsed in the park with an 18cm stab wound and was pronounced dead at the scene around an hour later.

Manuel Petrovic, 20, and Svenson Ong-a-kwie, 19, appeared at the Old Bailey on video link from HMP Belmarsh and HMP Feltham respectively.

They have denied the murder along with two juveniles aged 17 and 16 who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Petrovic, of Highfield Road in Romford, Ong-a-kwie, of Hillfoot Road in Romford, the 17-year-old from Barking, and the 16-year-old are due to face trial in September.

Jodie’s death in March intensified the outrage over knife crime in ‘Stab City’ London and locals have paid tribute to her across Romford, laying dozens of bouquets and purple ribbons.

The four defendants will return to the Old Bailey on 16 September when a jury will be sworn in for their trial.

There will be a further administrative hearing on 9 September.