Youth remanded in custody accused of murdering teenagers in Knowle West

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address

'Stop Knife Crime' sign at the scene of the incident
Author: Rod Minchin, PAPublished 5th Feb 2024

A 17-year-old boy has been remanded into custody accused of murdering teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon.

The defendant appeared at Bristol Youth Court jointly accused of killing the two boys.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief hearing, and did not enter pleas to the two charges he faced.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, sat in the well of the court next to an appropriate adult.

District Judge Lynne Matthews remanded him into custody and ordered him to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

"You will be remanded into youth detention accommodation and I have no power to let you go home," she added.

Mason, 15, and Max, 16, were stabbed during an incident in Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol, on the evening of Saturday January 27.

Local residents went to help the teenagers and police were on the scene within minutes to provide first aid.

The boys were taken by ambulance to Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where they died in the early hours of Sunday.

The 17-year-old is the fourth person to be charged with their murders.

Earlier, a hearing for two boys, aged 15 and 16, and 44-year-old Anthony Snook - who were all charged with murder last week - was held at Bristol Crown Court.

The three defendants were excused attendance but were represented in their absence by lawyers.

Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, fixed a plea and trial preparation hearing for April 26 and remanded them into custody.

Jamie Ogbourne, 26, of Bishport Avenue, and Bailey Westcott, 22, of Vowell Close, both Bristol, who are both accused of two charges of assisting an offender, will also appear in court again on April 26 after the judge moved their next hearing.

A provisional trial date of October 7 has been fixed.

Three other people remain in police custody in connection with the investigation.

A 14-year-old girl and a 49-year-old woman were being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender, while a 14-year-old boy was being detained on suspicion of murder.

A total number of 12 people have now been arrested as part of the inquiry.

Two of the others who were arrested have been released on conditional bail and no further action has been taken against another arrested person.

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