Teenager remanded over schoolboy's murder

LONDON, Mar 6 (Reuters) A 14-year-old boy was remanded in custody today after appearing in court accused of murdering 11-year-old Joe Geeling, whose body was found hidden in a park with multiple stab wounds.

Police charged the 14-year-old on Saturday, following his arrest on Thursday an hour after Geeling's body was found in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Geeling, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, had disappeared after leaving for home from his Bury school, St Gabriel's High, on Wednesday.

The teenager was remanded in custody until March 13.

Yesterday Geeling's family paid tribute to the boy.

''None of you have enough time to hear how much he meant to us. How do you condense 11 years of fun and love and heartache, worries and accomplishments into a few words?,'' they said in a statement.

Eddie Robinson, headmaster of St Gabriel's, said the school was shocked by Geeling's death.

''Joe was a lovely, well-mannered boy who is going to be greatly missed by all of his teachers, friends and fellow pupils here at St Gabriel's.'' Reverend Anthony Lawton, from the Geeling's local church, St Marie's, said prayers would be offered ''for Joe and his family and for all those affected by his death.'' REUTERS OM KP2033