A 17-year-old youth on trial for the murder of a 14-year-old girl last year faces the maximum sentence of two years youth detention followed by treatment in a secure psychiatric unit.

The public prosecution department told the court on Tuesday the youth, who was 16 at the term of the killing, is guilty of murder because his internet behaviour showed he was planning to do something to the girl before she disappeared.

Savannah was found dead in a ditch on an industrial estate three days after she disappeared on her way home from school. The boy was arrested a day after her body was found.

Evidence

The public prosecutor says camera footage, dna traces on a soft drinks can and social media interaction showed the boy was close to the place where Savannah’s body was later found.

He was also filmed on her bike and the pedals showed trace evidence of mud and water consistent with the ditch.

The youth has denied killing the girl and has refused to answer questions in court. The case is being held behind closed doors because the defendant is still a minor.

Two deaths

Savannah disappeared at the same time as another 14-year-old girl, giving rise to fears that there could be a connection between the deaths.

Last November, a 14-year-old boy was found guilty of the raped and murder of 14-year-old Romy. Both attended the same special needs school.

The fact that the two girls disappeared around the same time and just 20 kilometres apart led at the time to speculation that they may have become the victims of a serial killer.