A 16-year-old boy appeared before a crown court judge on Thursday, July 6, 2023, charged with murdering a man in Bedford’s Jubilee Park.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, is accused of fatally stabbing 25-year-old Ashish Sachsen Nahar on Thursday, June 29.
Judge Michael Simon, sitting at Luton Crown Court, said a plea hearing will take place on September 21, 2023.
A trial date was set for December 4, 2023.
The judge remanded the youth, who appeared on a video link from Feltham Young Offender Institution, in custody.
The police had been called to the park at around 8.45pm.
Mr Naharwho lived in Owen Close, Kempston, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A post mortem examination on Monday found the cause of death to be a single stab wound to the heart.
Mr Nahar’s mother, Anita Nahar, paid tribute to him in a statement on behalf of the family: “Sadly my eldest son was taken from his loving family and friends at the tender age of 25.
“Ashish was a cheerful joyful young man who had all his life ahead of him. He always had a smile and never held a grudge.
“To those who met him he left a happy memory.
“Knife crime is sick and needs to stop. More action needs to be taken against those carrying weapons and more support for the victim’s family.
“Ashish was deeply loved and will forever be missed terribly.”
A man in his 20s who was arrested last Friday was later released with no further action, a 46-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has been bailed.
Earlier Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, leading the investigation, said: “We are still keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened, or may have heard some information over the weekend.
“I would urge anyone who might be able to assist the investigation to come forward to help us bring those responsible to justice.”
