Two more people have been charged over the death of 12-year-old Bobby Bloomfield, who was struck by a car in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood, Essex.
Essex Police said William Lunnon, 65, of Ashwells Road, had been charged with perverting the course of justice, while Ruth Lunnon, 65, of the same address, had been charged with assisting an offender in relation to murder.
The pair appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and were released on bail. They are due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on October 1.
Bobby was hit on Ashwells Road at about 5.40pm on Sunday, June 7, after a car collided with him. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and later died.
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Bobby’s murder. William Lunnon, 43, who is alleged to have been in the car, has also been charged with murder.
The teenager pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing at Basildon Crown Court, while the 43-year-old defendant did not enter a plea. His barrister indicated that an application would be made to dismiss the case.
Both are due back at Basildon Crown Court on October 6. A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled to begin on November 9 and is expected to last up to six weeks.
What the court heard about Bobby Bloomfield’s death
At a previous hearing, prosecutor Rohini Majumdar said Bobby and three friends had been on private land they believed to be abandoned properties.
The group allegedly ran after being followed and chased by a car. The vehicle then struck Bobby, the court was told.
It was alleged that the teenage defendant got out of the car and kicked and punched Bobby on the verge. The prosecution also said the defendants left him by the roadside after attempting to remove and destroy property at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood previously described the case as a “complex investigation” and said detectives had made significant progress, including bringing charges and making further arrests.
Bobby’s family, who said he was a Year 8 pupil at Shenfield High School, described losing him as “every parent’s nightmare”. They said he had “brought light and life into all our lives”.
Shenfield High School said Bobby had brought “fun and happiness” to those around him, adding that he was charismatic, full of energy and had a great sense of humour.
