Police charge another boy 14 with murdering two Bristol teenage pals aged 15 and 16 after 17-year-old appears in court accused of murder

 

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, were stabbed in Bristol late on January 27

A 14-year-old boy has become the fifth person to be charged with the murders of teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon, who were stabbed in Bristol.

The boy, who was set to appear before a youth court in Bristol today, was charged this afternoon and remanded into custody.

The stabbings of Mason, 15, and Max, 16, took place on the street in front of passengers of a double-decker bus in Knowle West on Saturday January 27 at around 11.20pm, with police arriving at the scene within minutes.

The boys were rushed to two different hospitals, Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but both died in the early hours of the next morning after sustaining stab wounds.

Locals held a vigil on the Sunday evening where candles were lit and flowers placed around the scene of the crime.

Mason Rist, 15 (pictured), was stabbed to death alongside Max Dixon, 16, in Bristol on Saturday January 27

Max was also stabbed during the incident in Bristol on Saturday, January 27. The boys were rushed to two different hospitals, Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but both died in the early hours of the next morning after sustaining stab wounds

Max was also stabbed during the incident in Bristol on Saturday, January 27. The boys were rushed to two different hospitals, Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but both died in the early hours of the next morning after sustaining stab wounds

A 14-year-old boy has become the fifth person to be charged with the murders of teenagers (pictured: a Police Federation van near the scene)

A murder inquiry was launched by Avon and Somerset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team the following afternoon. 

Five people have now been charged with the murder of the pair after a 17-year-old boy was remanded in custody earlier today in relation to the stabbings.

The defendant appeared before magistrates at Bristol Youth Court for the first time today and is jointly accused of killing the two boys.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief hearing, and he did not enter pleas to the two charges he faced.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, sat in the well of the court next to an appropriate adult and was ordered to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

Bristol Police Commander at Avon and Somerset Police Supt Mark Runacres, issues a statement, following the deaths of two young boys, Mason Rist and Max Dixon

Avon and Somerset Police launched a murder investigation after the two teenage boys were discovered with fatal stab wounds on Ilminster Avenue in south Bristol on Saturday January 27

'You will be remanded into youth detention accommodation and I have no power to let you go home,' she added.

Earlier, a hearing for two boys, aged 15 and 16, and 44-year-old Anthony Snook - who were all charged with the murders last week - was held at Bristol Crown Court.

The three defendants were excused attendance but were represented in their absence by lawyers.

Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, fixed a plea and trial preparation hearing for April 26 and remanded them in custody.

A 46-year-old man was also arrested earlier today on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been transported to custody. 

Jamie Ogbourne, 26, of Bishport Avenue, and Bailey Westcott, 22, of Vowell Close, both Bristol, who are both accused of two charges of assisting an offender, will also appear in court again on April 26 after the judge moved their next hearing.

A provisional trial date of October 7 has been fixed. Three other people remain in police custody in connection with the investigation.

A 14-year-old girl and a 49-year-old woman were being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender but have been released on conditional bail, 

A 14-year-old boy has also been detained on suspicion of murder. A total number of 13 people have now been arrested as part of the inquiry.

Both Max and Mason’s families continue to be updated and are being supported by specially-trained officers. 

In the days following the stabbing, Max's heartbroken family posted tributes to their loved one on Facebook alongside videos of them releasing balloons and leaving flowers.

The teenager's sister Kayleigh shared an emotional poem she wrote out for the two boys, captioning her posts 'numb' and 'never forget'.

'I really hope you know how much we love you. How much I love you,' she added in a touching post.

'You will be missed kiddo I'll always look out for you in every sunset, shine bright lil' bro.'

The boys both died in the early hours of the next morning after sustaining stab wounds and locals held a vigil on Sunday evening where candles were lit and flowers placed around the scene of the crime

The boys both died in the early hours of the next morning after sustaining stab wounds and locals held a vigil on Sunday evening where candles were lit and flowers placed around the scene of the crime

A sign left at the scene says 'stop knife crime, RIP boys'

A sign left at the scene says 'stop knife crime, RIP boys'

Knife crimes have soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Knife crimes have soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

She also shared the hashtag 'Bin the Knife' in response to a post urging young people to discuss their worries in an attempt to help reduce violent crime.

Knife crimes have soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Meanwhile, Max's devastated mother Leanne wrote on Facebook: 'I just want to say thank you to everyone... I just can't find the words right now, I don't have the energy or strength... we loved Max so so much.'