A scream was heard before the body of a teenage boy was found in a park in south London, a court has been told.

Zaian Aimable-Lina, 15, died after being stabbed in Ashburton Park, Croydon, on Thursday December 30.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with his murder and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday before Judge Turnock.

Prosecutor Mr Crivelli told the court that Zaian was found unresponsive in Ashburton Park by friends who had heard a scream as they made their way to meet him.

He said: “Shortly before 7pm police were travelling along Ashburton Park when they were flagged down. They parked the vehicle and encountered four or five males between the ages of 15 and 16 and two men.

“They were shouting and panicking and pointing further into the park.”

Mr Crivelli told the court the officers went to investigate and found Zaian, who “had lost a lot of blood” and was “unresponsive”.

He said the officers carried out first aid which continued on the arrival of London Ambulance Service before Zaian was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination gave his cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.

“Two witnesses at the scene said they had gone to meet the victim at the park and as they approached it heard a scream,” Mr Crivelli added.

“One described seeing what he believed was a torchlight and he looked down and saw Zaian. He couldn’t see him moving and ran away scared. Others saw him and ran to the road to try and flag down an ambulance.”

The suspect – who was represented during the short hearing by Mr Ojhoetuoma – was arrested on suspicion of murder on New Year’s Day and charged on Monday. He denies the charge against him.

During the court hearing the boy spoke only to confirm his name, age and date of birth and was remanded into custody before his next appearance at the Old Bailey on January 6.

Another 15-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail until late January.