By Tony O’Reilly-
A second teenager has been charged with the murder of 24-year-old Jack Edwards,(pictured) who fell victim to a brutal attack near a city centre skate park in Nottingham.
The incident, which occurred on December 5, has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the safety of public spaces and the alarming trend of violence involving young individuals.
Jack Edwards was attacked and robbed around Sussex Street Skate Park, near Nottingham Contemporary, at approximately 6:50 pm on December 5.
Suffering significant head injuries, he was rushed to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre but tragically succumbed to his injuries on December 7.
The first teenager charged in connection with the murder and robbery is 18-year-old Kai Howitt, of Trent Boulevard, West Bridgford.
Howitt appeared before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on December 8 and is scheduled to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on December 11. The gravity of the charges has left the community grappling with the senseless loss of a young life.
In a shocking twist, a 13-year-old boy was arrested on Friday night (December 8) on suspicion of murder and robbery. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, has been charged with both offenses and will appear in youth court on December 11.
Adding to the complexity of the case, a 16-year-old girl, whose identity is protected due to her age, was arrested on December 9 in connection with the incident. She has been charged with robbery and is set to appear at youth court on the same date.
Detective Inspector Clare Gibson, leading the investigation, expressed condolences to Jack’s family and urged anyone with information to come forward. “Jack’s family have requested privacy at this extremely distressing time, and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to be supported by specially trained officers,” said DI Gibson.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in shedding light on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident. Despite the charges laid against the two teenagers, the police continue to explore all angles and are working to piece together a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding Jack Edwards’ untimely death.
Five other teenagers previously arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail pending further inquiries. Among them were three boys aged 17, 13, and 12, and two girls aged 15 and 14.