Essex Police have charged two more individuals in connection with the death of 12-year-old Bobby Bloomfield, who was struck by a car and died in hospital on June 7. William Lunnon, 65, has been charged with perverting the course of justice, and Ruth Lunnon, 65, has been charged with assisting an offender (murder).
Both defendants appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and were bailed to appear at Basildon Crown Court on October 1. These charges follow earlier proceedings in which a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with Bobby's murder. He appeared at Basildon Crown Court earlier this month and pleaded not guilty.
William Lunnon, 43, who was allegedly in the car at the time of the incident, is also charged with murder. He previously appeared at Basildon Crown Court and entered a no plea, with his defense indicating an application to dismiss the case. Lunnon, 43, and the 15-year-old boy are next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on October 6.
Police were called to Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood, at 5:40 p.m. on June 7 following reports of a vehicle colliding with a child. Bobby Bloomfield sustained injuries and died hours later. During a hearing in June, prosecutor Rohini Majumdar stated that Bobby was with three friends on land belonging to Lunnon when the group was approached and asked to leave. The boys ran off after being chased by a vehicle, which then struck Bobby. The prosecutor added that the 15-year-old driver then allegedly exited the car and assaulted Bobby before the defendants left the scene and attempted to destroy evidence.
Bobby, a Year 8 pupil at Shenfield High School, was remembered by his family as having "brought light and life into all our lives." The school described him as a student who "brought so much fun and happiness to those around him."