Sarmad Al-Saidi murder suspects, aged 18, 17 and 16, appear in court

The three defendants appeared for a preliminary hearing via video link before HH Judge Nicholas Dean QC, sitting at Manchester Crown Court this morning (Wednesday, December 30).

Jamie Dixon, 18, of Clayton Avenue, Leyland appeared via video link from HM Wetherby in Yorkshire, where he has been remanded in custody.

His co-defendants - two boys aged 17 and 16, both from Preston, who cannot be named for legal reasons - also appeared via video link from local authority youth detention.

All three have been charged with murder following the death of Sarmad Al-Saidi, 16, who died in hospital on Sunday, December 27, four days after he was found with stab wounds to his chest and legs at an address in Chatham Place, Preston on Wednesday (December 23).

The three defendants were arrested on Christmas Eve (December 24) and initially charged with attempted murder in relation to the stabbing. But following Sarmad's death on Sunday, all three defendants were charged with his murder.

No applications for bail have been made at this stage.

His Honour Judge Dean has set a provisional trial date for July 12 at Preston Crown Court, which is expected to take place over two weeks.

The defendants will next appear at Preston Crown Court on January 19 for a plea and trial preparation hearing, where they will be required to enter a plea on the charge of murder.

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