Two teenagers have today denied murdering a commuter at Stratford station.

The boys, aged 15 and 16, appeared at the Old Bailey charged with murdering John Francis Breen.

The 53-year-old suffered fatal head injuries during the alleged rush hour assault in the evening of Tuesday, October 27. He died the following day.

The youths – both from Ilford and who cannot be identified for legal reasons – appeared in the dock dressed in smart shirts and spoke only to confirm their names and enter a not guilty plea.

The pair were granted conditional bail until their trial, which is set to begin on Monday, April 11.

Until then, they will remain under a tagged curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am and must not spend a night away from home.

They have already surrendered their passports and are forbidden to apply for any international travel documents.

The boys are also forbidden to enter the E15 postcode area, with the exceptions of attending court or pre-arranged meetings with their legal representatives, and even then must travel by the quickest route.

The case against two other boys from Ilford, one aged 14 and one aged 15, has been discontinued by prosecutors.