A 14-year-old young man was on Tuesday charged with the murder of his schoolmate, who was fatally stabbed during a brawl at Matthews Ridge, North West District.

The teen appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the matter was held in camera.

He was not required to plead to the capital charge, which alleged that on June 27,2019, at Flat, Matthews Ridge, he murdered  Joseph Bumbury, who was also 14. He was unrepresented and was remanded into custody at the Juvenile Holding Centre.

The matter has been adjourned until July 3, 2019 and was transferred to the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is reported that the deceased and the defendant are known to each other since they attend  Matthew’s Ridge Secondary School together.

According to reports on Thursday, Bumbury was drinking with his cousin  at a bar at Flat, Matthews Ridge.He was attacked by the defendant and dealt several cuffs about his body.

It is alleged that the defendant pulled out a knife from his pants waist and dealt Bumbury a stab to his right hand and to the left side of his chest. The injured lad was picked up in an unconscious state and was rushed to the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital, but was  pronounced dead on arrival.

The teen made good of his escape from the crime scene but was later arrested by the police.