Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenager charged with murder after 20-year-old stabbed

Billy Ripley suffered a serious chest injury and later died following an incident in Hailsham, East Sussex, on Thursday.

Anahita Hossein-Pour
Monday 02 September 2024 07:34 EDT
A 17-year-old has been arrested over the killing of man in East Sussex (PA)
A 17-year-old has been arrested over the killing of man in East Sussex (PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A teenager has been charged with murder after a 20-year-old man was stabbed in East Sussex.

Billy Ripley suffered a serious chest injury, believed to be a stab wound, and died in Vicarage Field in Hailsham, near Eastbourne, despite attempts from paramedics to save him on Thursday at about 6.20pm.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in public.

He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was remanded into youth detention accommodation ahead of his next appearance at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday.

A fundraiser has been set up for Mr Ripley’s funeral and headstone, who was described as a “family person who loved everyone especially his daughter”.

Julie Puttick, who set up the GoFundMe page and said she is Mr Ripley’s aunt, said on the platform: “He was a loving, caring and kind young man who will be missed by everyone and will always be with us.”

Sussex Police said a 20-year-old man from Hailsham has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and remains in police custody, while a 21-year-old woman from Hailsham arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on conditional bail until November 30.

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.

“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.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in