Ex-boyfriend denies Asha Muneer river murder

Asha Muneer was found with multiple stab wounds

A 19-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend who was found stabbed to death on a river footpath in Reading.

Gulamyr Akhter, of Victoria Way, Reading, is accused of killing 18-year-old Asha Muneer.

The student's body was discovered by a jogger on a footpath by the River Kennet, next to the A33, in January.

Mr Akhter appeared at Reading Crown Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody.

Miss Muneer, from Whitley, Reading, had been taking A-levels in English, sociology and economics at Highdown School and worked part-time as a shop assistant at the Laura Ashley shop on the Brunel Retail Park.

Her body was found on a footpath near the Madejski football stadium at 2030 GMT on 18 January, with her handbag lying nearby.

A post-mortem examination revealed that she had suffered 25 stab wounds.

Her family described her as a loving and beautiful daughter.