The trial of a teenager accused of murdering a schoolboy at a party has been delayed.

Jay Whiston, 17, of Aster Close, Clacton, was stabbed at a house party to celebrate a girl’s 15th birthday in the town’s Marlowe Way at about 10pm on September 8 2012. He died in hospital soon afterwards.

Since his death, his mother, Caroline Shearer, has launched the anti-knife crime charity Only Cowards Carry.

Unemployed Edward Redman, 18, of Halstead Road, Colchester, denies murder and appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Wearing a blue suit and grey tie, he spoke only to confirm his name.

Prosecutor Mark Milliken-Smith QC told the court it was unlikely that a jury would be sworn in and the case opened until Wednesday.

Redman’s father, Gary Redman, 51, and student brother John Redman, 19, of the same address, will also stand trial accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Shannon Fenlon, 19, from Jameson Road, Clacton, denies the same charge.

The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks.