Teenager charged with murder of two boys

A teenager has been charged with the murder of two boys following disturbances in Essex early on Sunday.

Frankie Watson, 19, of Baker Street Orsett Essex, was remanded to Southend Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Two men – a 20-year-old from Grays and a 21-year-old from South Ockendon – who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail until November 19, and a 40-year-old man from Brentwood has been released under investigation.

Police were called to Regency Court in Brentwood at around 1.30am on Sunday. Charlie Preston and Frankie Gater later died, while a third person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Four other people arrested over the incident, a 20-year-old man from South Ockendon and three men from Grays aged 19, 20 and 49, have been told they face no further penalties, Essex Police said.

Police added that officers seized around 200 hours of CCTV footage and spoke to more than 20 people as part of the investigation.

Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, who is leading the investigation, previously said police believed it was an isolated incident and “there was no risk to the general public”, saying the area was safe and such incidents were rare.

He said a police presence would remain in the area as the investigation continued and appealed for anyone with information about what happened to come forward.

Police said they would wait for the results of the autopsy before confirming the cause of death.

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