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'KNIFE MURDER'

Boy, 16, denies hacking teen to death with zombie knife at East Croydon station

A SCHOOLBOY has today denied stabbing a 16-year-old rival to death with a zombie knife in a rush-hour attack at a busy London railway station.

Louis Johnson was left dying in a pool of his blood after the 40-second knife attack at East Croydon station in South London.

 Louis Johnson was stabbed to death outside East Croydon station
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Louis Johnson was stabbed to death outside East Croydon station
 Louis was knifed to death in East Croydon
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Louis was knifed to death in East Croydon

Louis was travelling home to his mother in South Norwood when he was killed after entering the station through a ticket barrier at 4.45pm on January 2.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link from HMP Feltham, accused of murdering Louis on the station bridge in front of horrified commuters.

The prosecution claim the youth was caught on CCTV carrying a large zombie knife and was either known to the victim "or their gangs were known to each other".

Louis was then stabbed once to the heart and the "zombie-type knife" hit a major blood vessel and he tragically died at the scene, the court heard .

Tyrone Smith QC, defending, indicated the boy will admit possession of the knife but will claim he acted in self-defence.

The 16-year-old, of Wandsworth, South London, denies murder and possession of a bladed article.

He was remanded in custody ahead of his trial which is expected to last two weeks.

 Forensic police officers were seen working at the scene of the horrific murder
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 Forensic police officers were seen working at the scene of the horrific murderCredit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
 Louis' pals paid tribute to him as they laid flowers in his memory
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Louis' pals paid tribute to him as they laid flowers in his memory
 The teenage boy was fatally attacked on a bridge over the station
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The teenage boy was fatally attacked on a bridge over the stationCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Louis was stabbed to death at East Croydon station during rush hour
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Louis was stabbed to death at East Croydon station during rush hourCredit: @MfsDeez
 Police officers stand on guard near the station's staircase
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Police officers stand on guard near the station's staircaseCredit: UKNIP