A TEENAGER has denied murdering a 10-year-old girl who was found in woodland near her home in Leigh.
Kieron Smith, 18, is accused of battering Lauren Pilkington Smith to death on July 7.
The schoolgirl's body was found in undergrowth just 200 yards from her home in Leigh the following day.
Smith, of Pilling Street, Leigh, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday via a video link to enter his not guilty plea.
He was remanded in custody and a trial date was set for December 5.
The defendant is not related to the dead girl.
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