Yousef Makki stabbing: Teen on murder charge bailed

Image source, Family handout

Image caption, Yousef Makki was stabbed in Altrincham on Saturday

A 17-year-old boy accused of the stabbing murder of another teenager has been granted bail.

The accused, who cannot be named, was also charged with possessing a knife when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court

Yousef Makki, also 17, from Burnage, died after being stabbed in Gorse Bank Road, Hale Barns, near Altrincham, on Saturday.

The boy was bailed until his next court appearance on 29 April.

Manchester Grammar School, where Yousef was studying for his A-levels, said he was a "dearly loved, incredibly bright pupil".

Image caption, Flowers have been placed in memory of Yousef Makki outside his school

The defendant, who is privately educated and from a wealthy family from south Manchester, was granted bail by Judge David Stockdale QC.

His bail application, made by barrister Kate Blackwell QC, was held in chambers, with the press and public excluded from the 90-minute hearing.

Judge Stockdale, the Recorder of Manchester, said: "The fact that he has been bailed, it seems to me, is a matter for public knowledge.

"The terms and conditions under which I granted bail were under a hearing in chambers. What the conditions attached to bail are, are not a matter of public knowledge nor are the reasons why I took that decision."

A trial date was set for 18 June.

Another boy, 17, who is charged with assisting an offender and possession of a blade, was bailed on Wednesday to appear at youth court on 28 March.