Boys in court accused of stabbing market trader to death

Three teenagers accused of stabbing a market trader to death in east London appeared in court today, after police took the highly unusual step of charging them with murder before he had died.

The boys, two aged 14 and one aged 16, appeared at Stratford Youth Court jointly charged with the murder of Rashid Naeem. The 29-year-old from East Ham was stabbed two days ago at Queen's Market in Upton Park.

The teenagers were charged with his murder this morning. Shortly after the Met Police said:

Rashid Naeem died a short time later at the Royal London Hospital.

The teenagers appeared in court in two separate hearings. The court heard one of the 14-year-olds was not given his medication this morning for his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The immediate families of all the boys were in court. Several relatives were in tears during the short hearings.

The teenagers spoke only to confirm their identities and were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.