A teenager has denied murdering a young Tamil father who was stabbed in the heart outside a family party.

Dwayne Roberts, 18, pleaded not guilty to killing Akilankumar Kanthasamy, who died from the single stab wound on the evening of October 22, 2011.

The attack happened outside the New Horizon Centre, a community centre in South Lodge Avenue in Pollards Hill, Mitcham.

Nr Kanthasamy was attending a family celebration for his friend's daughter first birthday party and, after being stabbed in his chest outside, stumbled in to the community hall and bled to death in front of dozens of Tamil guests.

Appearing at the Old Bailey this morning, Mr Roberts wore an untucked and striped lilac shirt and trousers and was only asked to confirm his name and asked how he would plea.

The teenager, of Mitcham Lane, Streatham, will return to the court on May 7 to stand trial for what is expected to be three weeks.

He will remain in custody until that time after not making an application for bail.