The man accused of murdering a teenager has appeared in court this morning.
Felipe Figueiredo has been charged with killing schoolboy Dylan Bragger on Thursday, June 29. Police and paramedics were called to reports of a stabbing at around 9pm and found the 15-year-old had been stabbed to death, on Digmoor Road, Skelmersdale.
A short time later, officers arrested a man in connection with the murder. Figueiredo, 28, appeared by video link from custody for the hearing this morning on Tuesday, July 4. He has not yet entered a plea to the charge of murder of which he is accused.
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Dylan's mum, dad and sister attended Preston Crown Court for the hearing, LancsLive reports. They sat in the public gallery alongside several police officers who are involved in the case.
In a statement following his death, Dylan's family spoke of his "heart of gold", describing him as a "gentle giant". They said: " As a family we have no words to explain how we are feeling at this heartbreaking time.
"Dylan had such an infectious smile that would light up any room and he could cheer anyone up with one of his big bear hugs. Our boy didn’t deserve any of this, he was just a 15-year-old lad working towards being a car mechanic, with his whole life ahead of him.
"We’ve got a hole in our heart that will never heal and no amount of words will ever take our pain away." A Portuguese interpreter also attended court to support Figueiredo.
However his defence barrister, Kim Obrusik, said the defendant spoke good English and would not require the service. The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, set a trial date for January 2, 2024.
A plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on September 4, when Figueiredo will be brought to court to enter his plea. Judge Altham warned the defendant he must co-operate with proceedings and the preparation of a defence statement.
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