First of a number of trials of 20 defendants accused of murdering Sofyen Belamouadden

The trial of seven teenagers accused of the murder of a GCSE student at Victoria Tube station has ground to a halt after jurors were discharged.

Sofyen Belamouadden, 15, from Acton died on 25 March 2010 after being chased and stabbed.

A new jury will be sworn in and the case will begin again at the Old Bailey on Monday.

Obi Nwokeh, of Bermondsey, and Enoch Amoah and Samuel Rober, both from Camberwell, all aged 18, deny murder.

They have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

Four 17-year-old youths, one from Stockwell, one from Brixton, and two from Streatham, also deny the charges.

Judge Christopher Moss said he took the decision after legal submissions.

On Thursday, it was decided that an eighth defendant, aged 18, would be tried separately from the seven involved in the current proceedings.

A total of 20 people are accused of Sofyen's murder, with further trials due to take place later in 2011.

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27 January 2011