Six on trial in relation to rape, murder of Mary-Ann Leneghan

Six men will go on trial today charged with the rape and murder of teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan.

A jury at Reading Crown Court will hear the case against the men accused of killing the 16-year-old, whose body was found in a park in the town in May, and trying to murder another teenager.

The six deny charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnap, rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the two friends.

Mary-Ann was found stabbed to death in Reading’s Prospect Park on the morning of May 7 last year.

She had allegedly been abducted by a gang of men - along with an 18-year-old friend who cannot be named for legal reasons - the previous night.

After they were subjected to a violent ordeal including sexual assaults, the friends were allegedly taken to the park where Mary-Ann was stabbed to death.

Her friend was shot, but survived.

Today, 20-year-old painter Adrian Thomas, of Battersea, south London; 24-year-old student Llewellyn Adams, of Balham, south London; 18-year-old Indrit Krasniqi, of Chiswick, west London; 19-year-old Michael Johnson of Southfields, south-west London, and two others who cannot be named for legal reasons; are all accused of involvement in the killing.

Five of the six are facing nine separate charges – each charged with murder, attempted murder, two counts of kidnap, three counts of rape and two counts of causing grievous bodiy harm with intent.

One of those who cannot be named is facing all of the charges as well as an additional charge of rape.

Mary-Ann's father emigrated from Mayo to England in 1972.