Man denies murdering woman found injured on street

A man has appeared in court to deny murdering a 19-year-old woman who was found seriously injured on a street.

Mohammed Azim, 41, is charged with the murder of Lily Whitehouse, who died in Oldbury on 5 November 5 last year, having been hit by a vehicle on Old Park Lane, West Midlands Police said.

Whitehouse was found with serious injuries nearby on Park Street by emergency services who tried to save her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, Azim, who listened to proceedings with the help of a Mirpuri interpreter, spoke only to enter his not guilty plea to a single count of murder.

Azim was initially due to face trial on Whitehouse's birthday on 1 June, but the trial date was pushed back to 3 June and will be presided over by a High Court judge.

The trial is expected to last seven days, the court heard.

In a statement released through police after her death, Whitehouse's family said they were devastated.

"My beautiful girl Lily, your big brown eyes and your laughter could light up the world," the statement said.

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