ONE of the five boys convicted of stoning a father-of-two to death has appeared in court today to deny breaking a police order - just days before he is due to be sentenced for manslaughter.

The boy, who was in a gang of laughing hoodie yobs aged just 10 to 13 who killed Ernest Norton in front of his teenage son, is accused of breaching a dispersal zone in Slade Green while on bail.

As exclusively revealed in the Bexley Extra, he was allegedly in a group of youths who were ordered to leave an area by a PCSO on Thursday, September 20.

It is said the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, returned to the area a short time later and was arrested.

Wearing a t-shirt and jeans, he spoke only to confirm he understood proceedings at Bexley Youth Court this morning.

Defence lawyer Iffat Hussain entered a not guilty plea on the boy’s behalf during a brief hearing conducted by the court clerk.

His parents sat at the back of the court and he was released on unconditional bail ahead of a trial next month.

He is one of five child yobs - none more than 13 at the time - who killed devoted family man Mr Norton in a “pointless and random” attack.

Mr Norton, 67, was taunted, spat at and spelted with sticks and stones while playing cricket with 17-year-old James at Erith Leisure Centre last February.

Mr Norton went to confront the pack of youths but a half-brick hit him on the temple. He collapsed and died for a heart attack.

Now aged just 12 to 14, the five boys were convicted at the Old Bailey in August of manslaughter and violent disorder.

The judge warned them they faced an “inevitable” custodial sentence but allowed the home until sentencing next Friday, October 19.