A youth from south Essex has appeared in court after a 14-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed with a sword concealed inside a walking stick.

Fares Maatou was reportedly attacked during a confrontation between two groups of youths in Canning Town, East London, on the afternoon of Friday, April 23.

It is alleged he was stabbed with a blade which was contained inside a black metal cane.

Fares suffered a wound to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene outside a pizza restaurant in Barking Road.

During the violent incident, an electric scooter that Fares had with him was taken.

A 14-year-old youth from Grays, who allegedly struck Fares with the metal sheath, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

During his first Crown Court appearance, the Old Bailey was told that a second youth, suspected of being the stabber, had been arrested on Tuesday night.

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The defendant appeared in court by video-link from Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre in Northamptonshire, and spoke only to confirm his identity.

Judge Philip Katz QC set a plea hearing for July 16 and remanded the youth into custody.

The court heard that it was not possible to identify a trial date within custody time limits but efforts are under way to fix a four-week trial date as soon as possible.

Scotland Yard has announced a further six arrests in connection with the investigation, taking the total to 10.

Six male suspects were arrested at an address in Leyton, east London, and remain in custody.

One was arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

The others were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.

Three 15-year-old boys arrested last week have been bailed to a date in late May.