Boy, 13, admits part in theft of cannabis prior to alleged murder of teenager

A teenager has admitted his part in the theft of cannabis prior to the alleged murder of a 14-year-boy, a trial has heard. Nathaniel Shani died after being knifed to the neck during an incident in Harpurhey, north Manchester.

Two boys deny murder and manslaughter and have gone on trial at Manchester Crown Court. Boy A, aged 14 and Boy B, aged 13, cannot be named for legal reasons.

Prosecutors claimed there was a fight in an alleyway off Tavistock Square over the 'theft of some drugs'. Boy A has accepted stabbing Nathaniel, but claims he was acting in self-defence.

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Earlier in the trial, Boy A said he had armed himself for 'protection' because after there had previously been a 'fall out' between him and Nathaniel. On Wednesday, Boy B gave evidence in his defence for the first time.

He said he had attended the square on the day of the alleged murder to meet a friend, and added that Boy A was also there. Boy B said he knew that the relationship between Boy A and Nathaniel was 'not good'.

Boy B told the jury that when he arrived at the square there was another boy present, and that he asked him if he was selling 'weed'.

"He said he was, he was asking me if I wanted to buy some," Boy B said. "I asked to smell it. He took his bag off and got a chewing gum container out of his bag.

"There was three snap bags inside the chewing gum container. I took one out and smelled it, put it in the chewing gum container and then I just walked off."

Boy B denied that he or anyone else produced a weapon, but said that he had taken the cannabis from the boy. Boy B said he and some others some of the cannabis, and that he gave some to Boy A.