A 16-YEAR-OLD boy could stand trial in the summer after he was charged in connection with murdering a girl who was stabbed to death in Hexham.

Another 16-year-old boy was also taken to hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

The defendant, aged 16, cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday charged with three charges murder, attempted murder and having a knife.

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/23296339.boy-discharged-hospital-stabbing-holly-newton-hexham/

No pleas were entered during the brief hearing, where the youth was sitting in the dock surrounded by four adults.

The teenager will enter pleas at a hearing on February 27.

A provisional trial date was set for July 13, and lawyers agreed it could last for up to 10 days.

Judge Paul Sloan KC told the defendant he could appear via a videolink for the plea hearing.

There was no application for bail.

A vigil will be held in Hexham on Friday to mark a week since Holly was fatally attacked.