Six people have appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of teenager Becky Watts.
Becky, 16, vanished from her family home in Crown Hill, Bristol, on 19 February and was reported missing the following day. Police launched a huge search, which led to her remains being discovered at a house in Barton Hill, Bristol, on 2 March.
Her stepbrother Nathan Matthews, 28, was later charged with her murder, alongside his girlfriend Shauna Hoare, 21.
The couple were also charged with perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to commit false imprisonment, preventing Becky’s lawful burial and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Karl Demetrius, 29, Donovan Demetrius, 29, Jaydene Parsons, 23, and James Ireland, 23, were all charged with assisting an offender.
All six defendants appeared before Judge Neil Ford QC, the recorder of Bristol, for a hearing at Bristol crown court.
The court heard that a trial date has been set for 6 October, with proceedings expected to last for up to five weeks.
Becky’s family and friends attended the hearing, with many wearing badges featuring a photograph of the teenager. T-shirts with a similar image of Becky were also worn at her funeral, where attendees threw pink roses as a white horse-drawn carriage and coffin passed by.
Becky was described by her father as the angel of Bristol in a reading written by him and delivered by the Rev David James at the service. She was said to be a shy child who overcame her timidity to mentor younger children.
“That was Becky all over. She couldn’t make friends herself but didn’t want younger children to feel like she did,” wrote her father.
“Becky has left a huge void in our lives and touched the hearts of the nation. We all loved you so much, and as you look down from heaven just look at what your short life has achieved – not bad for a shy girl. You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts, rest in peace angel of Bristol.”
The reverend said he hoped that the teenager’s death could bring the local community together.
Fundraising efforts meant that more than £11,000 was put towards Becky’s funeral and to help launch a charitable foundation in her name.
Matthews, from South Gloucestershire, as well as Hoare and Karl Demetrius – who are both from Bristol – and Ireland, who is 23 and from Avonmouth, were all remanded in custody.
Parsons and Donovan Demetrius, who are both from Bristol, were released on conditional bail.
