13-year-old girl pleads not guilty to manslaughter of Leicester pensioner
80-year-old Bhim Kholi died in hospital on 2nd September 2024
Last updated 24th Jan 2025
A 13-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Bhim Kohli, 80, who died after he was allegedly assaulted in a park near his home.
Mr Kohli died in hospital on September 2 last year, a day after he was seriously injured in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, near Leicester.
The girl, who cannot be named because of her age, denied the charge at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, where she appeared with a 15-year-old boy who pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter at a hearing in December.
The girl was granted conditional bail and the boy was remanded into custody until their trial date on February 17.
The trial for both children, and which may last up to six weeks, will be heard by a High Court judge.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC told them: "You know this already, but I confirm you will stand trial on February 17. You both appreciate that is less than a month away, so things will happen very quickly."
An inquest into Mr Kohli's death was opened in November, and gave a preliminary cause of death as a neck injury. It was adjourned until the criminal proceedings have finished.
His family previously said in a statement: "Bhim was a loving husband, dad and grandad.
"He was also a son, brother and uncle. He adored his grandkids with all his heart and loved spending time with them.