16-year-old boy appears in court on Reading murder charge

The victim is also named as Raheem Haniff

Author: Taz Ali, PA with additional material Jonathan RichardsPublished 10th Feb 2021
Last updated 10th Feb 2021

A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Reading.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared on Wednesday at Reading Magistrates’ Court, where the name of the dead man was given as Raheem Hanif.

The youth, from Reading, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent against Abdul Hanif.

Both charges are in connection with an incident in Dulnan Close, Tilehurst, shortly before 7pm on Saturday, in which police said a 26-year-old man died and another man, in his 40s, was injured.

During the court hearing, which lasted around five minutes, the boy spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

His case was sent to Reading Crown Court, where he appeared on Wednesday afternoon.

No pleas were entered and he was remanded to youth detention until his next hearing on March 12 at the same court.

Thames Valley Police said eight people have been arrested in connection with the incident, including a 21-year-old man, from Reading, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday.

Two 25-year-old men and a 22-year-old man have been released on conditional police bail, officers said.

A 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man were also arrested.

Formal Identity

After the court appearances Police confirmed the victim's formal identity.

Police said "despite the best efforts of medical professionals, police and members of the public, the victim died at the scene of his injuries. "

The victim has now been identified as Raheem Hanif, aged 26, from Tilehurst.

A Home Office post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday (9/2) and the cause of death has been confirmed as a stab wound to the upper chest.

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