Bournemouth 'murder': Trial date set for accused 18-year-old

Cameron Hamilton, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene after an incident in The Square shortly before 1.30am on Saturday, August 5.

Thomas Betteridge, 18 and of Albert Road, Southsea, has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

He appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, August 10.

Lennie Hansen, 18 and of Partridge Gardens, Waterlooville, has been charged with assisting an offender and possession of a bladed article, and he appeared alongside Betteridge.

The defendants only spoke to confirm their names during the hearing.

Betteridge was represented by Mark Florida-James and Hansen was represented by Malcolm Gibney.

Judge William Mousley KC set a provisional trial date of January 29, 2024, and adjourned the case for a plea hearing at the same court on September 28.

He told the defendants: “You will both be in court on the 28th of September; in the meantime you will be both remanded in custody.”

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said it was estimated that the trial would last at least two weeks.

As reported, a post-mortem examination by Dr Amanda Jeffrey provided a provisional cause of death as one stab wound to the chest.

Floral tributes placed in Bournemouth town centre (Image: Daily Echo)

In a tribute to Mr Cameron, a plumber from Bournemouth, his family said: “Cam is loved so much by his whole family, we ask that our privacy is respected at this devastating time.

“We have not lost our beautiful boy, he has been taken.

“We don't want this to be what Cam is remembered for, we want him to be remembered for the funny, kind and wonderful person he is and always will be.”