Brentwood: Teenager charged with murder after death of two boys

Forensic officers at Regency Court in Brentwood, Essex.
Forensic officers at Regency Court in Brentwood, Essex.
Aaron Chown
Sophia Miller

By Sophia Miller


Published: 27/10/2021

- 11:35

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:44

A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder after the death of two teenage boys in Essex.

A teenager has been charged with the murder of two boys following a disturbance in Essex early on Sunday.

Frankie Watson, 19, of Baker Street, Orsett, Essex, has been remanded to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.


Two men who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail to November 19, and a 40-year-old man from Brentwood has been released under investigation.

Forensic officers at Regency Court in Brentwood, Essex.
Forensic officers at Regency Court in Brentwood, Essex.
Aaron Chown

Police were called to Regency Court in Brentwood at around 1.30am on Sunday. Charlie Preston and Frankie Gater later died, while a third person was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Four other people arrested over the incident have been told they face no further action, Essex Police said.

The force added that officers have seized some 200 hours of CCTV footage and spoken to more than 20 people as part of the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, who is leading the investigation, previously said police believe it was an isolated incident and “there isn’t a risk to the wider public”, saying the area is safe and such incidents are rare.

He said a police presence will remain in the area as the investigation continues and appealed for anyone with information about what happened to come forward.

Police said they would await post-mortem examination results before confirming the cause of death.

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