A 12-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries after he was struck by a car driven by a teenager in Essex, a court has heard.
Court Appearance
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and William Lunnon, 43, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday accused of murdering Bobby Bloomfield.
Essex Police previously said that officers were called to Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch at 5.40pm on Sunday to reports of a vehicle colliding with a child. The force said that Bobby had sustained serious injuries and despite the best efforts of those involved in his care, he later died in hospital.
Prosecution Details
Prosecutor Rohini Majumdar told the court that the victim and his friends were on private property when Lunnon approached them and asked them to leave. It is alleged that the boys ran off but were subsequently pursued by the two defendants in a car, which was being driven by the teenager.
The vehicle struck Bobby, Ms Majumdar said, before the teenager got out of it and punched and kicked the boy. It is alleged that the pair then abandoned Bobby at the roadside.
Remand and Next Hearing
Lunnon, of Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch, was remanded in custody and the 15-year-old was remanded to a youth detention accommodation. During the hearing, the teen wore a quarter-zip jumper and jeans, and spoke to confirm his date of birth and that he understood the matter could only be dealt with at a Crown court. Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, Lunnon confirmed his age, date of birth and address.
The duo are set to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday for an initial hearing.
Family Statement
Earlier this week, Bobby's family released a statement through Essex Police, saying: Losing a child is every parent's nightmare. We are living that nightmare and no words can ever explain how we are feeling. Bobby brought light and life into all our lives and we have lost that forever.
The force had previously stated that two men, aged 65 and 54, and two women, aged 65 and 45, were arrested and detained on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in relation to the incident.
