Teenager denies murder of boy, 12, who was struck by a car
Bobby Bloomfield sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital
A teenage boy has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 12-year-old boy who was struck by a car in Essex, and he is due to stand trial later this year.
Police were called to Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch at 5.40pm on June 7 to reports of a vehicle colliding with a child.
Bobby Bloomfield sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in the dock at Basildon Crown Court on Monday charged with Bobby’s murder.
The youth defendant replied “not guilty, your honour” when asked for his plea to the charge of murder.
A man, 43-year-old William Lunnon, is also charged with murder.
The adult defendant, of Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch, appeared by video-link at Monday’s hearing, which was attended by family members of the deceased.
He was not asked to enter a plea.
Both defendants, who are in custody, are due to stand trial at Basildon Crown Court from November 9 with a time estimate of up to six weeks.
Judge Samantha Cohen said that a High Court judge would hear the trial.
Prosecutors told an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court that the deceased and his friends had been on private property when Lunnon approached them and asked them to leave.
It is alleged that the boys ran off but were subsequently chased by the two defendants in a car, which was being driven by the teenager.
In a statement released through Essex Police, Bobby’s family said: “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.”