TWO teenagers have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and arson over the death of a homeless man in a fire.
A 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl appeared at Croydon Crown Court today for a plea and case management hearing.
The two defendants both pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of arson.
They were arrested and bailed following a fire at the derelict former Sea Cadets building in Davenant Road, Waddon, on June 10.
Polish man Sylwester Mendzelewski, 35, was found dead inside the building after the fire was put out, with a post-mortem revealing he died from smoke inhalation.
He is believed to have been sleeping rough in the building.
A trial has been set for June 9 and is expected to last two weeks. There will be a pre-trial hearing on May 2 which the two defendants are excused from attending.
