A HOMELESS man has denied murdering Darlington teenager Ashleigh Hall.

Peter Chapman, 32, appeared at Teeside Crown Court this morning to answer four charges related to the death of 17-year-old Ashleigh.

Mr Chapman, who had previously only been charged with manslaughter, pleaded not guilty to new charges of murder and rape.

He also denied kidnapping Ashleigh and failing to register a change of address as required under the sexual offences act.

Ashleigh was killed after meeting a man she had met on the internet in October 2009.

In a short hearing, which lasted only a few minutes, Mr Chapman who was wearing a grey prison uniform, spoke only to confirm his name.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox adjourned the case for trial starting on March 8.