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A schoolboy has denied killing a teenage girl who was found dead in a park with stab wounds after she went missing.
Lilly Jones, 14, was discovered hidden in undergrowth 500 yards from her home in Blaina in Gwent, Wales two days after she was reported missing.
At Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, the 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to her murder.
Lilly was reported missing on the evening of June 20 before her body was discovered in a woodland location with injuries to her chest and neck.
Her family previously shared a tragic tribute to the 'kind' and 'quirky' girl – saying the word 'heartbroken' does not come close to describing how they feel.
The family said in a statement: 'Lilly is the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl we had the privilege to call our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.
'She is completely and utterly herself, she's quirky and confident, sassy and dramatic and loves her music.
'Her eclectic taste in music took us from My Chemical Romance to Kate Bush and absolutely unapologetically sang every word at the top of her voice, no matter who's listening.
A schoolboy has denied killing Lily Jones, 14, who was found dead in a park with stab wounds after she went missing
Lily was was reported missing on the evening of June 20 before her body was discovered in a woodland location with injuries to her chest and neck
Floral tributes were left after the body of Lilly was discovered in undergrowth
'We could write a book about how amazing and accepting of all types of people she is, advocating for anyone who needed her to.'
The family added they wished to focus more on 'what a beautiful person' Lilly was rather than the circumstances surrounding her death.
They said: 'Our loss has left an unimaginable hole in not only our lives but in the whole community.
'We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their never–ending support and donations.'
Emergency services were called to Duffryn Park on the evening of June 22. Lilly was pronounced dead at the scene and later formally identified through DNA.
A post-mortem examination provided a provisional cause of death as multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk.
Senior coroner Caroline Saunders said: 'As a result of that information and given Lilly Jones has died a traumatic death it falls to be investigated under the terms of an inquest and I formally open an inquest. The matter will be adjourned so further enquiries can be made.
'The inquest is paused due to an ongoing police and criminal investigation. Once that investigation has concluded it will return to the coroners' service to determine whether an inquest needs to be resumed.'
A provisional inquest date was given as April 6, 2027.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, previously fixed a trial date beginning on November 23 which is due to last four weeks.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: 'Our thoughts remain with Lilly's family and friends at this difficult time. Her family continue to be supported by specialist officers.
'I want to reiterate that it is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.'
Lilly's home town of Blaina, Gwent, raised £20,000 for a memorial dedicated to her.