Teen denies murdering Alfie Lewis near Horsforth school

Alfie, 15, was attacked in the Horsforth area on November 7 as children were leaving two nearby schools.

On Friday the teenager accused of stabbing him to death pleaded not guilty to murder.

The defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, pleaded guilty to possession of a kitchen knife on Church Lane, Leeds, on the same day.

Wearing a white shirt and thick-rimmed glasses, the boy spoke only to confirm his name and enter pleas to the two charges during the 35-minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

A three-week trial is due to start on April 22 next year.

Tributes to Alfie Lewis at a bench in Horsforth (Image: Newsquest)

Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, said the defendant would stay remanded in youth detention accommodation until then.

After his death, Alfie’s family paid tribute to him as an “all-round entertainer” who was known as Uncle Alfie.

A family statement issued through West Yorkshire Police said: “I haven’t got the words to describe how devastated we all are.

“Alfie, you were one in a million, so funny and an all-round entertainer with your rapping and dancing feet.

“You had the biggest heart and took care of everybody around you. You will never know just how much you are loved by family and friends, and you will always be our Uncle Alfie.”

Town grieves Alfie Lewis

In the hours following Alfie's death, a sea of floral tributes and candles began to appear at a bench on the green by Broadgate Lane.

The nickname ‘Alf’ was spelled out with tea lights while a toy monkey and childhood photo were left by loved ones.

The tragedy has left an entire community united in shock and grief.

Reverend Nigel Sinclair, team rector at St Margaret’s Church, attended a community vigil held for Alfie.

“The whole community is so touched by Alfie's death,” Rev Sinclair said.

“It’s a very tight-knit community in Horsforth so pretty much everybody knows somebody, relatives, friends, and everybody’s grieving this morning.”

Speaking about the vigil, the Reverend said: “When I got there I found the young people with such dignity just remembering their friend. They had an incredible firework display, performed so safely, it was really quite staggering.

"They had the flower tributes and some candles. I was stood there, not knowing what to do or say, and this girl came up to me with a tea light and said 'would you like to light one of these?’.

“I thought wow, she’s doing my job, they are remembering their friend. The love that was around that green last night was so touching. People talk about the violence, all the anger around, but actually the same young people have got so much love and support for each other."