A juvenile who escaped police custody while being treated at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) two weeks ago was charged in court with murder and escape yesterday.

Seventeen-year-old Michael Defrend of Peardale, East Street South appeared in court number one yesterday to answer to the charges.

Defrend was initially arrested last month in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Javon Mullings.

It is alleged that Defrend fatally stabbed Mullings on June 25.

Police arrested the teenager. However, he managed to escape police custody while he was being treated for stab wounds at PMH.

Defrend was charged on one count of murder and one count of escaping lawful custody.

While Defrend pleaded not guilty to the escape charge, he was not required to enter a plea to the murder charge.

The juvenile has been placed on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) and will return to court for a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) on November 28.