Two men are facing charges of false imprisonment and battery of a 15-year-old boy.

It comes after an incident at a Superdrug in Chichester earlier this year.

Sussex Police were called to the store in East Street on 22 March following reports of an altercation.

The alleged victim from Worthing, and another boy aged 16 from Chichester, were arrested on suspicion of assault following the incident.

On 29 June, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided no charges should be brought against the two boys due to insufficient evidence.

Now, the CPS has authorised charges of false imprisonment and battery against Jake De-Geus, 29, from Chichester, and Edwin Hirst, 39, from Fareham, Hampshire.

Hirst has also been charged with battery against the 16-year-old boy.

The pair have been summonsed to appear before Worthing Magistrates’ Court on 24 October.

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David Owen, senior crown prosecutor for CPS South East, said: “The charges were authorised by the CPS after receiving a full file of evidence from Sussex Police.

“Criminal proceedings against Mr De-Geus and Mr Hirst are now active, and they have the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”

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