Twelve-year-old boy accused of playing fields murder admits possessing machete

The youngster, who cannot be named, and a second boy aged 12, face trial later this month after pleading not guilty to the murder of Shawn Seesahai.

Floral tributes left at the scene at Stowlawn playing fields in Wolverhampton (PA) (PA Wire)

One of two 12-year-old boys charged with murdering a man on playing fields has admitted possessing a machete at the scene.

The youths, who cannot be named because of their age, appeared in person at Wolverhampton Crown Court, where they both pleaded not guilty to murdering Shawn Seesahai.

The boys spoke only to confirm their names and enter their pleas during an hour-long hearing on Monday presided over by Mrs Justice Tipples.

Mr Seesahai, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene on November 13 last year, after being found stabbed on Stowlawn playing fields in East Park, Wolverhampton.

The defendants, who are being held in secure accommodation outside the West Midlands, both pleaded not guilty to murder.

One of the boys then pleaded guilty to possessing a machete “without good reason or lawful authority” at Stowland playing fields on November 13, while his co-defendant denied the same charge.

The boys were told they will now face a trial of up to four weeks, currently scheduled to start on April 29.

After addressing the defendants at the conclusion of the hearing, the judge confirmed that the forthcoming trial will take place at Nottingham Crown Court.

Mr Seesahai was pronounced dead after ambulances were called to land off Laburnum Road, East Park, at 8.41pm on November 13.