A teenage boy today denied the murder of Ava White but admitted having a knife in the street where she was killed.
Ava, 12, was stabbed on Thursday, November 25 last year after visiting Liverpool city centre with friends to watch the Christmas lights being turned on.
Police said she was involved in a "verbal argument" in Church Alley, off Church Street, which escalated into an "assault on her with a knife", at around 8.35pm.
READ MORE: Gun thug who won't see daughter grow up told 'it's your fault'
Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, but died a short time later from what a post-mortem examination found was a single stab wound to her neck.
A 14-year-old boy, from South Liverpool, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and charged with murder and possessing an offensive weapon.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, via video link from a secure unit, for a brief plea and trial preparation hearing.
Around a dozen members of Ava White's family sitting in the public gallery watched on as the boy first spoke to confirm his identity.
He then pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, before he pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon on the same date.
The boy admitted that on November 25 "without lawful authority or reasonable excuse" he had with him in a public place, Church Alley, an offensive weapon, "namely a knife".
High Court judge Mrs Justice Amanda Yip said a trial date had already been identified for Monday, May 9 this year.
Ian Unsworth, QC, prosecuting, said the trial was estimated to last three weeks.
Justice Yip said: “This is going to be a difficult trial for everyone involved in it and we will all be conscious of that.”
The court heard the trial date may be moved forward to Friday, May 6 for the selection and empanelment of a jury, but will start on Monday, May 9.
Following an application by Michael O'Brien, defending, the boy was granted the use of an intermediary to assist him during the trial and procedural hearings taking place in advance of it.
Justice Yip said he would be required to attend those hearings, likely via video link.
The judge fixed the trial for May 9 and further remanded the boy in custody.
Ava, a Year 8 student at Notre Dame Catholic College, was described as "hugely" popular, "bright" and "unique".
In the wake of her death, hundreds of people attended a vigil in the city centre and the Radio City tower was lit up blue in her memory.
Flowers and balloons were left in Church Street by those paying tribute to her, along with pictures, teddy bears and football shirts.
The dad of the 12-year-old, Robert Martin, said the family were "completely devastated" and "heartbroken".
He said: "We would like to say thank you to everybody for their ongoing support during this devastating time.
"Thank you to every one of you for your kind messages and donations.
"As Ava's family we are completely devastated and heartbroken by what has happened and we ask that you respect our privacy at this time and allow us to grieve as a family."
For the latest news and breaking news visit http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
