Boy remanded in custody on Luke murder charge

A 15-year-old boy was remanded into secure accommodation today charged with the school murder of 14-year-old Luke Walmsley.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Skegness Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, who spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, was remanded into custody until next Wednesday, when he will reappear at a youth court.

Luke was stabbed through the heart at Birkbeck School, in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, UK on Tuesday morning.

Birkbeck School, which had been closed since the incident, reopened today for a “fellowship day“.

Classes are not expected to begin again until Monday.

Luke was taken to hospital in Grimsby by air ambulance but died from his injuries.

During today’s 20-minute hearing, the accused stood in a glass-panelled dock flanked by two security guards. He was wearing blue jeans, a shirt and blue sweatshirt.

The clerk of the court asked the defendant to confirm his personal details before reading the charge to him. He stood silently with his head bowed throughout the hearing.

Martin Kirby-Sykes outlined the nature of the charge on behalf of the Crown and asked magistrates to remand the youth in custody.

The boy’s father was in court to witness the proceedings and sat alongside dozens of press and television reporters who filled the public gallery.

The youth’s solicitor, Lloyd Edwards, did not apply for bail and presiding magistrate Phillip Key remanded the youth, who lives in the north Lincolnshire area, into secure accommodation until next Wednesday.