A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering a teenage girl.

Michael Lane, 27, of Thornhill Rise, Portslade, denies killing Shana Grice.

Appearing in the dock wearing a blue shirt and black suit he spoke only to confirm his name. 

The public gallery was packed with friends and relatives of both the victim and the defendant. 

The case, expected to last three to four weeks, was adjourned until tomorrow morning when a jury will be sworn in and the prosecution will start to present their evidence.

The body of 19-year-old Miss Grice was found at her home in Chrisdory Road, Portslade, on Thursday August 25, after she failed to turn up to work at Hove-based cash and carry Palmer and Harvey.

Lane was initially arrested in Burgess Hill and taken in to custody. He was later released on bail and then re-arrested and charged.

Police have not revealed how the former Hove Park School student died.

Friends and family paid tribute to her in the days after her death.

Her parents Sharon Grice and Richard Green, of Hove, said: "Shana is our beautiful girl, a kind thoughtful, caring daughter who always thought of others."

They thanked her boyfriend, Ashley Cook, 21, and his family for their support, adding: "We would also like to thank everyone for their beautiful kind words."

Mr Cook earlier spoke of their three-and-a-half years together, how they were planning on starting a family next year and their holiday to Mexico with friends.

The self-employed kitchen fitter said: “Shana was the nicest person you could ever wish to meet.

"We were planning to have children together next year and we were all ready to settle down.

“She was a really kind girl, and she cared about everyone. I don't know why anyone would do this to her because she wasn't a nasty person and looked after everyone.”

Close friend Sian Best, 19, of Hove, said: “I’ve known Shana for about seven years. She did not have a horrible bone in her body.

“She was the mum of the group, she was so mature for her age – she got a job, had moved in with some friends. It was like we were her kids and she was the mother."