Schoolboy appears in court to deny murder of 12-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car

Published: 13:14, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 13:15, 17 August 2026 A TEENAGER has denied the murder of a 12-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car.  Bobby Bloomfield died in hospital hours after the incident in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood in Essex, on June 7.  A 15-year-old boy, who was allegedly driving the car and cannot be named for legal reasons, today appeared in the dock at Basildon Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to one count of murder.  William Lunnon, 43, of Pilgrims Hatch, who is alleged to have also been in the car, appeared at the court via video link from HMP Chelmsford.  He entered no plea as his defence barrister, Malik Alderi, indicated he will be making an application to dismiss the case against him, with the hearing to take place on October 6.  The trial, which could last up to six weeks, is due to begin in November and will be tried by a High Court judge, the court heard.  Prosecutor Eloise Marshall KC said: 'This investigation into this matter is ongoing.'  Bobby Bloomfield died in hospital hours after being hit by a car in Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood in Essex, on June 7 Judge Samantha Cohen ordered disclosure to the defence of the collision report and also the post-mortem examination report once it is available.  During a hearing in June at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, prosecutor Rohini Majumdar said Bobby and three friends had been on private land they believed to be 'abandoned properties'.  She told the court they ran after being 'followed and chased' by a car, which then struck Bobby.  The teenage defendant then 'got out of the car and kicked and punched Bloomfield on the verge'.  The prosecutor said that both defendants left him at the side of the road after trying to remove and destroy property at the scene.  'They left the scene, and the badly injured boy, and then destroyed potential evidence,' the court was told. The collision in Ashwells Road was reported to Essex Police shortly before 5:40pm.  William Lunnon, 43, of Pilgrims Hatch, who is alleged to have also been in the car, indicated through his lawyer that he will be making an application to dismiss the case against him The family of Bobby, a Year 8 pupil at Shenfield High School, described how he had 'brought light and life into all our lives'.  In a statement, they said: 'Losing a child is every parent's nightmare. We are living that nightmare, and no words can ever explain how we are feeling.  'Bobby brought light and life into all our lives, and we have lost that forever. The hole he has left can never be filled.'  In a separate statement, the school added: 'Bobby was a student who brought so much fun and happiness to those around him.  'He was charismatic, full of energy and had a great sense of humour.'  Essex Police previously said two men, aged 65 and 54, and two women, aged 65 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.  Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said after the death that the case was a 'complex investigation and we have made significant progress, including bringing charges and making further arrests'.  Police at Greenacres Farm on Ashwell's Road, Pilgrim's Hatch, where Bobby died He added: 'Our focus remains on establishing the full circumstances and supporting Bobby's family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss.  'We continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help us build a clear and accurate picture of events.'  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.