FIVE teenagers have appeared in court in connection with the death of Luke Jobson.

This morning, some details of the incident can be revealed for the first time.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mr Jobson was chased through Yarm by people in a car and a teenager has admitted being in the vehicle before getting out off it at a later point but his barrister said that was his only involvement.

The group are all charged with affray after the popular 22-year-old was found dead in the River Tees last year.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had already pleaded guilty to his part in the incident but the other four defendants have all pleaded not guilty.

James Bourne-Arton, representing the 17-year-old, called on Judge Howard Crowson to remit his client’s case back to the youth court for sentence on March 25.

The judge agreed to the request, saying: “People will be concerned that the Youth Court won’t have sufficient teeth, the fact of the matter is that the Youth Court will have the same powers as the Crown Court.”

Speaking directly to the 17-year-old, he added: “I’m going to send you back to Youth Court to be sentenced on March 25. You’re going to have to speak to the youth offending service until then you can be released from the dock now.

“You can have bail until March 25.”

Ali Abdulmajieed and Ryan Alpay, both 19, along with 18-year-old Hammad Asif all made their first appearance in Teesside Crown Court this morning.

Edwin Taha 19, of Lavender Way, Norton, has also denied the allegation.

A hearing is due to take place on March 27 for a defence application to dismiss the case against Alpay.

The Northern Echo:

Following Mr Jobson's death, members of the public gathered alongside his family, who hosted the tribute as a celebration of his life.

The 22-year-old, from Thornaby, went missing following a night out in Yarm last January.

His body was found in the River Tees in Yarm a few days later.

At the riverside, pieces of red ribbon and red balloons, with personal messages were left as a reminder of the region’s huge support.

More than 200 individual pieces of ribbon had been tied to the railings of Yarm Wharf, whilst hundreds more were tied to railings and lamppost’s near Sainsbury’s car park, as space by the riverside dwindled.

A floral tribute, decorated with candles and pictures of Mr Jobson, had been carefully put together.

  • Taha; Abdulmajieed, of Corvus Drive Stockton; Alpay, of Duneside, Stockton and Asif, of Osborne Road, Stockton; are all expected to appear at Teesside Crown Court on September 28 for trial.