THE man accused of murdering former Burnley teenager Jane Young has appeared in court - but his trial is unlikely to begin before December.

Jane, 16, and her friend, Helen Rossiter, also 16, died after a car was driven into a crowd of partygoers outside a house in Christchurch, New Zealand, in May.

Factory worker Lipine Sila, 22, who was driving the Hinda Integra, faces a total of 17 charges including two of murder in relation to the incident.

He appeared before Christchurch District Court and it was decided that depostition hearings - when a judge will decide if he has a case to answer - will begin on November 12.

The court heard that these hearings were likely to last three weeks with defence counsel Lee Lee Heah telling the court the duration could change and the court would be advised closer to the time.

Sila was remanded in custody by Judge Stephen Erber.

He is also charged with six counts of attempted murder, eight of wounding with intent to cause grevious bodily harm and driving with excess alcohol.

Twelve of the charges relate to six victims and have been laid in the alternative.

Jane had attended Wellfield CE Primary School, Burnley, and spent a year at Ivy Bank High School before moving to New Zealand with her father Harry, mother Lorraine, and brothers Christopher, Alistair and George.