TWO men accused of murdering a 'charismatic and selfless’ 19-year-old have pleaded not guilty at court.

The public gallery at Oxford Crown Court was packed yesterday as the two accused men entered their pleas for the first time.

Nathan Braim, 20, of Broadwaters Avenue, Thame, and Benjamin Eyles, 19, of Monks Hollow, Buckinghamshire are both charged with murder.

Prosecutors allege that they killed Joshua Harling, from Oxford, who was found with fatal injuries on Chinnor Road, Thame, shortly after 7pm on July 22 this year.

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At the time police cordoned off the area and residents were told to stay in their homes.

At court the two men each denied one count of murder.

After the pleas had been entered presiding Judge Ian Pringle QC agreed the current trial date set to take place at the same court in January.

He said: "This trial is due to start on January 4 and I will do everything I can do to not lose that date."

That trial was given a time estimate of about three weeks.

Following the alleged murder in Thame a post-mortem examination of Mr Harling revealed that the 19-year-old died of a single stab wound.

Heartbroken relatives went on to pay tribute to the ‘irreplaceable son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and well-loved colleague.’

In a statement well-wishers said that Mr Harling was ‘unforgettable’ and said: “We do not know how to sum up in just a few sentences how much he meant to so many people.

"He touched so many lives.

"He felt it was his duty to protect, he had courage and bravery, and was full of kindness, love and energy.

"He was a compassionate soul with a fierce and generous love and loyalty to his family and his friends.

“He had the ability to light up any room he walked into with just one cheeky smile. He was charismatic, selfless and had a contagious laugh."