The family of a teenage boy who died in a stabbing in Essex have paid tribute to their “champ”.

Charlie Preston, 16, was one of two boys who died following a disturbance in Regency Court, Brentwood, at 1.30am on the morning of Sunday 24 October.

His family issued a short tribute to him, saying: “Forever our Champ. Mummy and daddy love you.”

The second boy has been named as Frankie Gater, 16.

A post-mortem examination confirmed both boys sustained stabbed wounds.

Officers had seized about 200 hours of CCTV footage and spoken to more than 20 people as part of the investigation.

Frankie Watson, 19, of Baker Street, Orsett, Essex, appeared before Basildon Crown Court on Thursday charged with murdering the two boys.

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He is also charged with the attempted murder of a third boy, who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, and with possession of an offensive weapon.

Watson appeared by video link from Chelmsford Prison, remaining seated at a desk as he listened to proceedings.

He was not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

No application for bail was made and Watson was remanded in custody until a plea hearing on 23 December.

A provisional trial date has been set for 22 August next year.

Two men, a 20-year-old from Grays and a 21-year-old from South Ockendon, were arrested on suspicion of murder, before being released on bail until 19 November.

A 40-year-old man from Brentwood has also been released under investigation.

Essex Police said four others were arrested over the incident but face no further action.

Anyone with any information on the incident is encouraged to call the police on 101 and cite incident 125 of October 24.

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