A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of

Croydon teenager Nilanthan Murddi.

Steven Braithwaite, 30, a labourer, from West Croydon, was

formally charged yesterday evening (Wednesday) with the

17-year-old's murder.

He appeared at Sutton Magistrates' Court this morning

(Thursday) and only spoke to confirm his name.

He was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until

November when Braithwaite will reapper at the Old Bailey.

He was arrested at an address in Sydenham in the early hours

of yesterday (Wednesday)morning.

Nilanthan was stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday

in Broad Green.

The former Selhurst School pupil was waiting with a group of

friends at the corner of Sumner Road and London Road at about

1am when a minicab pulled up at the traffic lights, and the

passenger started rowing with the driver.

Nilanthan and his friends also exchanged words with the

passenger before the taxi drove off.

About half an hour later, the passenger returned and Nilanthan

was stabbed in the neck.

The attacker then walked off in the direction of Mayday

Hospital.