A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a Walton teenager who was stabbed to death at Hampton Court Station on Saturday.

The Mitcham youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Woking Youth Court on Wednesday and has been remanded in custody for seven days. He will appear again in court on July 11.

Steven Hill, 17, of Hurtwood Road, Walton, was stabbed in the heart during an argument with another group of teenagers shortly before 2am in the stations car park.

Ambulance staff along with two minicab drivers and a controller from nearby minicab firm Headway Cars tried to revive Steven at the scene. He was pronounced dead at Kingston Hospital.

Steven had been in the Streets of London pub in Bridge Road before joining his girlfriend Charlotte Ross, 17, from Thames Ditton, and two other friends.

During the argument Charlotte received a stab wound to her wrist and a black eye.

She said Steven, who has two younger brothers, died protecting her.

Ive known him since we were at school. He was quiet, always thinking of others. He would do anything for anyone.

He was just sorting out his life when this happened.

Steven left Esher Church of England High School last July after completing his GCSEs. He was a keen footballer and a talented athlete.

Headteacher Simon Morris said: Steven was a caring and responsible student and he was a good influence on his classmates. He was also popular with both teachers and pupils.

Friends, neighbours and colleagues on the Field Common estate where Steven worked and lived paid tribute to him.

Paul Pidgley, owner of the turf company where Steven worked, said colleagues were shocked.

He said: He was a decent person, not troublesome at all. He was a pleasure to work with and a fine worker. He had just started to learn the trade. He had a lot of potential. A lot of people said how good-natured he was on the jobs.

A neighbour in Hurtwood Road said Steven was a lovely boy.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Crampton, who is leading the investigation , described Stevens death as a tragedy.

He said: I would like to emphasise to members of the public this was by no means a result of gang warfare and arose from a dispute between two groups of youths who didnt know each other.

He is appealing for the driver of a dark coloured saloon car, which was seen outside the station shortly before 2am, to come forward.

By.Shirin Aguiar