The trial began yesterday at Brighton Crown Court following the death of Charlie Cosser, the Milford teenager who was stabbed at a party in Warnham last July.

The grandson of former Waverley Borough Councillor Steve Cosser died two days after the stab wounds that were inflicted at the party at a West Sussex farmhouse near Horsham. The Cosser family, who have lived in Milford for many years, are and will be forever devastated by the loss of the popular young footballer.

Opening the case, Alan Gardner KC said the alleged killer, who was at the time of the incident 16 years could not be named for legal reasons, stabbed Charlie after the defendant and his friends (believed to have gatecrashed the event) had been asked to leave. A girl at the party had complained about their behaviour. In the crowded dancefloor’s darkness and noise, the knife’s blows went unnoticed by other partygoers. 

Video footage played to jurors revealed revellers dancing under the disco lights in marquees at the West Sussex farmhouse Balmohano on July 23rd, 2023. A fight could be seen in the background, with punches being thrown before the recording ended. The defendant tried not to look as the video footage was being played.

Two witnesses described Charlie in a blood-soaked T-shirt lying on the grass, so they called the Ambulance service. Charlie, a keen and accomplished footballer, died in hospital two days later.

The defendant, who is now 17, denies murdering Charlie and possessing a bladed article. Wearing a blue shirt and glasses, the 17-year-old from Chessington, Surrey, spoke only to confirm his name.

The trial continues.

Cllr Cosser was the Conservative Councillor for Godalming Charterhouse Ward for many years.

The Cosser family, Martin and his wife Sheila, are now campaigning to make sure other families do not have to go through the agony they have.