A man has denied murdering Portslade teenager Shana Grice

Michael Lane, 27, of Thornhill Rise, Portslade appeared via video link at Hove Crown Court this morning. 

He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his not guilty plea. 

Miss Grice's body was found at her home in Chrisdory Road, Portslade, on Thursday August 25. 

A bail application for Mr Lane was denied and he was remanded in custody ahead of a case managment hearing on November 18. 

A trial date has been set for next March. 

Friends and family have paid tribute to Miss Grice, a former Hove Park school student. 

Close friend Sian Best, 19, of Hove, previously told The Argus: “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."