Men In Court Over Leicestershire Schoolgirl's Death

18 December 2015, 12:35 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man has appeared in court charged with the rape and murder of Leicestershire teenager Kayleigh Haywood, whose body was found in undergrowth near a lake five days after she went missing.

The 15-year-old, from Measham in Leicestershire, had not been seen since 6pm on Friday November 13, when she was dropped off outside Ibstock Community College in Central Avenue.

Police discovered her body near Sence Valley Forest Park on the evening of Wednesday November 18 after officers were drafted in from across the region to help with the search.

Stephen Beadman, 28, of George Avenue in the village of Ibstock, Leicestershire, is accused of murder and one count of rape on November 15.

He appeared today at Leicester Crown Court via video link and did not enter a plea.

He has been remanded into custody and will next appear at court on the week beginning April 4 at either Nottingham or Leicester Crown Court.

A second man, Luke Harlow, 27, of the same street as Beadman, appeared in person at court charged with grooming and two counts of sexual activity with a child and did not enter a plea.

He was also remanded into custody to appear at Leicester or Nottingham Crown Court for a hearing in the week beginning April 4.

A trial, expected to last four weeks, is due to begin on June 7 at Nottingham Crown Court.