Man and teen in court accused of murdering 12-year-old

Two people accused of murdering a 12-year-old boy who was struck by a car have appeared in court.

Bobby Bloomfield was seriously hurt in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood in Essex, on Sunday evening and died in hospital hours later.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and William Lunnon, 43, of Ashwells Road, Pilgrims Hatch, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court earlier.

Presiding magistrate Lynette Brown said they would next appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth during the brief hearing, after which they were remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Rohini Majumdar said Bobby and three friends were on private land they believed to be "abandoned properties".

She told the court they ran off but were "followed and chased" by a car, which struck Bobby.

The incident in Ashwells Road was reported to Essex Police shortly before 17:40 BST.

The family of Bobby, a Year 8 pupil at Shenfield High School, have said he "brought light and life into all our lives".

In a statement, the school added: "Bobby was a student who brought so much fun and happiness to those around him.

"He was charismatic, full of energy and had a great sense of humour."

Police arrested two women, aged 65 and 45, and two men, 65 and 54, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice on Tuesday. They remain in custody.

Essex Police described the investigation as "complex" and said detectives were continuing to build a detailed picture of how Bobby died.

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