Jury sworn in for trial of three accused of the murder of Benjamin, 17
THE jury has been sworn in for the trial of three youths charged with the murder of Swadlincote teenager Benjamin Orton.
High Court judge Justice Thomas Linden QC is overseeing proceedings, which started yesterday at Derby Crown Court.
Three teenagers, all aged 17, are each charged with the murder of former Pingle Academy student Benjamin and the attempted murder of a 20-yearold man at The Pipeworks retail park, off Coppice Side, Swadlincote, on June 12.
They have pleaded not guilty to all charges. One of the teenagers was 16 at the time of the alleged incident.
One of the defendants has also denied a charge of assisting an offender by allegedly disposing of a knife, clothing and a mobile phone. The three defendants cannot be identified due to their ages.
Benjamin, 17, died from “multiple stab wounds”, which punctured his heart and right lung, an inquest into his death has already heard. The inquest has been opened and adjourned until after these court proceedings are completed.
Emergency services which were called to the scene tried in vain to save Benjamin, of Arthur Street, Castle Gresley, but he was pronounced dead in an alleyway near the cinema in the town centre.
His grieving mum, Amanda Taylor-orton, has previously said: “Benjamin was my beautiful, beautiful boy. He was so loving, intelligent, and sweet, but really funny and cheeky too.
“I always thought he could have been a comedian. Benjamin was very popular and I’ve loved hearing stories from his friends of how they could talk to him about anything. He was a good listener and he was loved so much.”
The trial continues.