TEN people have denied conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm in connection with the murder of a teenage Army cadet.

Joseph Lappin, 16, died after being stabbed in the heart outside the Shrewsbury House youth club in Langrove Street, Everton.

The former Cardinal Heenan High pupil Joseph, who was a cadet member of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment, died later.

Nine men have already denied his murder and causing grievous bodily harm to Joseph’s lifelong friend, Callum Naden, on October 20, 2008.

A tenth man, Colin Yell, of Snowdon Lane, Vauxhall, had not previously entered any pleas to the two charges.

But yesterday an application to dismiss the case against the 24-year-old was rejected by high court judge Mr Justice Henriques at Liverpool Crown Court.

Yell then entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

Neil Flewitt, QC, prosecuting, then told the court he wished to bring a third charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

He said: “It is intended to cater for a situation in which the jury may conclude the group agreed to cause serious harm, but the use of a knife was fundamentally different to what was contemplated.”

Yell; Colin Cain, 21, of Barmouth Way; Anthony Preston, 21, of Eldonian Way; Anthony Smith, 22, of Heriot Street, John McDonald, 22, of Wilcock Close; Thomas Riding, 19, of Houlgrave Road; a 16-year-old boy and three 17-year-old boys, all from Vauxhall, pleaded not guilty.

They were all remanded in custody until January 12.