Man in court on party murder charge

Ricky Butler from Roffey, Horsham, was seriously injured in the nunchaku attack outside his brother's flat in Horsham, West Sussex, early on Saturday morning and died later in hospital.

Unemployed Richard Martin, from Heath Way in the town, will appear before magistrates in Crawley charged with one count of murder and one count of causing actual bodily harm.

Friends and neighbours have paid tribute to the youngster. One family friend described him as a young man who "lived for every day" and was devoted to his mother Sarah, who told a neighbour she had "no more tears to cry".

The "pimps and whores"-themed fancy dress party on Friday night was hosted by Ricky's 20-year-old brother Steven, neighbours said.

Detectives say Ricky and another boy, aged 16, were attacked with a nunchaku, a weapon used in martial arts that consists of two sticks connected with a short chain or rope.

The second teenager needed stitches for head injuries but was later discharged from hospital.

The weapon has not been found and police have asked residents in the affluent commuter town to check their gardens.

Ricky was described as a hip-hop and R'n'B-loving teenager who had just started year 11 at local comprehensive boys' school The Forest School. He was the youngest of four boys, and lived with his mother nearby.

West Sussex County Council is sending educational psychologists to his school to help fellow pupils and staff.