A 17-year-old boy appeared before Brighton magistrates charged with murder and having a knife in public this morning (Monday 2 September).
Presiding magistrate Alison Pollard told the teenager, from Hellingly, that he was being remanded into youth custody and would be produced at Lewes Crown Court tomorrow.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have killed 20-year-old Bill Ripley by stabbing him last Thursday (29 August).
Mr Ripley died in Vicarage Field, in Hailsham, at about 6.20pm despite the efforts of paramedics to save him.
Sussex Police said that officers had also arrested a 20-year-old man, from Hailsham, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He remained in police custody.
And a 21-year-old woman, also from Hailsham, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released on conditional bail until Saturday 30 November.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, of Sussex Police, said: “This has been a hugely distressing incident, not least for the family and friends of Billy Ripley, but also the wider community.
“I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while our officers have conducted inquiries in the local area.
“Our officers will remain on patrol for reassurance, and in the meantime I would still urge anyone who can assist us in our investigation to please come forward and contact us.”
