Boy accused of murdering pensioner in park appears in court

The 15-year-old boy accused of murdering 80-year-old Bhim Kohli has appeared before a judge at Leicester Crown Court

The 15-year-old boy charged with the murder of 80-year-old Bhim Kohli has appeared before a judge at Leicester Crown Court. Scheduled to enter a plea, the hearing was adjourned for the teenager, who remains unnamed due to legal age restrictions.

Mr Kohli suffered an attack around 6.30 pm on Sunday, September 1, in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town and succumbed to his injuries in hospital the next day. In today's court appearance (Friday, October 11), the accused stood in the dock, guarded and confirmed his identity without further comment.

Prosecutor Andrew Peet and Judge Timothy Spencer KC discussed delaying the plea hearing. The judge addressed the young defendant, stating: "Ordinarily you would have been asked to indicate whether you wished to plead guilty or not guilty to a charge of murder today."

He continued: "That has not happened. That will happen on the 22nd of November before me. And you will face trial on the 17th of February of next year - that's the first available date for a trial of the sort of length of time this will require."

Four other juveniles, between the ages of 12 and 14, were arrested in connection with Mr Kohli’s death but have since been released without charge, reports Leicestershire Live.

The upcoming trial is expected to take up to six weeks.