Girl, 13, among seven remanded over man's murder

A 13-year-old girl was among seven people who today denied murdering a man who was found dead near a supermarket.

The teenager appeared at Nottingham Crown Court where she pleaded not guilty to murdering Shaun Rossington, 21, in Lincoln on June 3.

Mr Rossington's body was found on grassland near the Waitrose store in Searby Road in the city. Police said he had suffered head injuries.

Today, Mark Jackson, 20, of Yarborough Road, Lincoln, and Nicholas Shelbourn, 26, of Laughton Way, Lincoln, also denied murder along with a 17-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys.

But the 17-year-old boy admitted the manslaughter of Mr Rossington on the basis of lack of intent.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice along with one of the 16-year-old boys.

The other five defendants all denied this second charge.

The defendants, who are all from Lincoln, sat in the dock at the back of the packed court flanked by security guards except for the 13-year-old, who sat in the well of the court behind her barrister.

The Recorder of Nottingham, Judge Michael Stokes QC, told all seven defendants they will go on trial at Nottingham Crown Court on October 4.

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.

They were all remanded into custody or secure accommodation.