Teen denies Sian's murder

11:01am Monday 1st October 2007

A teenage girl accused of stabbing 17-year-old student Sian Simpson to death has denied murder at the Old Bailey.

Miss Simpson was knifed in the heart during a street scuffle between two groups of young women on a south London estate.

The A-level student, who was hoping to start a career in accountancy, collapsed in Mann Close, Croydon, on June 19 and was pronounced dead on arrival at Mayday Hospital.

A post mortem revealed the teenager died from shock and haemorrhaging from a stab wound to the left side her chest.

Chelsea Bennett, 18, pleaded not guilty to murdering Miss Simpson today.

Dressed in a black jumper and tracksuit bottoms and flanked by two prison officers, she spoke only to confirm her name before entering her plea.

Judge Martin Stephens QC ordered Bennett to stand trial on May 6 next year.

But he added: "I think inquiries should be made with the view of hearing this case elsewhere in order to see if something can be done to bring it on earlier.

"Bearing in mind the age of the defendant in particular I think this trial should come on as soon as possible."

Charity shop worker Bennett, of Gilroy Court Hotel, London Road, Croydon, was remanded in custody.