Seven in court over Mary-Ann murder

Seven men charged in connection with the death of teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan - whose family is from Co Mayo - appeared in court in England today.

The men, all from London, appeared by video-link from three separate prisons before Judge Stanley Spence at Reading Crown Court for a 35-minute hearing at which they were due to enter pleas to charges relating to the killing.

But prosecutor Richard Latham QC told the judge that it was agreed among the parties that no pleas should be entered to the charges today while legal preparations continue.

Mary-Ann, 16, was abducted by a gang of up to six men on the night of May 6 to 7 in Reading alongside a friend who cannot be named for legal reasons.

After being subjected to a violent ordeal which included sexual assaults, the friends were taken to Prospect Park in the Tilehurst area of Reading where Mary-Ann was stabbed to death.

Despite being shot in the head, her friend survived and managed to call for help. She has since left hospital and is recovering with her family.

Today friends and family of Mary-Ann sat in a packed public gallery as the seven men appeared on the screens.

Six of the seven face charges of kidnap, murder and attempted murder.

They are: Jamaile and Joshua Morally, 21 and 22 of Balham, south London; Llewellyn Adams, 23, of Balham; Adrian Thomas, 19, of Battersea, south London; Indrit Krasniqi, 18, of Chiswick, west London and Michael Johnson, 18, of Southfields, south west London.

Jamaile Morally is also charged with rape.

A seventh man, 18-year-old Myron Hiliaire from Balham, is charged with possessing a prohibited firearm in London on May 10.

All seven remain in custody and are due to appear for a further hearing before Mr Justice Penry-Davey at a date and location yet to be set in October.

Mary-Ann has family in Mount Jubilee, Bangor Erris. Her father Bertie emigrated to England in 1972.