A MAN accused of murdering Southampton schoolgirl Lucy McHugh is set to stand trial in May next year.
Stephen-Alan Paul Nicholson, 24, of no fixed address, made a 20-minute appearance at Winchester Crown Court this morning.
Nicholson is accused of murdering 13-year-old Lucy, whose body was found at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26.
Nicholson is also accused of raping a child under the age of 13 and two counts of sexual activity with child under the age of 16.
He did not enter a plea at the crown court today.
But the court fixed a provisional trial date of May 1. The case is expected to last about five weeks.
Nicholson was further remanded in custody.
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