A teenager has denied the murder of 12-year-old Ava White but admitted possessing a knife. The schoolgirl was fatally stabbed in the neck after a Christmas lights switch-on in Liverpool city centre on 25 November. A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link at Liverpool crown court on Friday charged with her murder. He admitted possessing an offensive weapon, a knife, in Church Alley, Liverpool, on 25 November. About a dozen members of Ava’s family were in court for the hearing, which lasted about half an hour, and some were in tears as the teenager entered his pleas. The judge, Mrs Justice Yip, told the defendant: “Your trial is going to take place in May, starting 9 May.” The case is expected to last three weeks. Ava, who has been described as “popular” and “bright”, was assaulted in the city centre just after 8.30pm. She was taken to Alder Hey Children’s hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later. After her death her father, Robert Martin, said the family was “completely devastated and heartbroken”. Hundreds of people attended a vigil held in her memory a week after her death. Family, friends and others gathered in Church Street, close to where the attack happened, to pay tribute to her. Hundreds of balloons, some in the shape of the letter A, were released at the start of the vigil. The Radio City tower was lit up blue in memory of the schoolgirl. Imagine by John Lennon was performed by Astrid Smith as hundreds held up glowsticks and phones to light up the city centre in Ava’s memory. Three other boys were also arrested in connection with Ava’s death. A Merseyside police spokesperson said a 16-year-old boy was released on bail, a 14-year-old was released under investigation and no further action was taken against a 13-year-old.