A tragic incident unfolded at a party in Warnham, Sussex, resulting in the loss of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser’s life. Yura Varybrus, now 17 years old, was found guilty of murder and possessing a bladed article after a trial at Brighton Law Courts in May.

The Tragic Event

On the night of Saturday, July 22, into the early hours of Sunday, July 23, Varybrus stabbed Charlie Cosser during the party held in Marches Lane. Despite medical efforts, Charlie succumbed to his injuries on July 25, leaving his family devastated. His parents, Martin and Tara, along with older brother Adam and younger sister Eloise, expressed their grief: “Our lives have been destroyed by the tragic and unnecessary loss of our son.”

Sentencing and Impact

At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, June 19, Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC lifted Varybrus’s anonymity. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years before parole consideration. The impact of Charlie’s murder reverberated through his family and friends. Martin Cosser, Charlie’s father, emphasised the devastating consequences: “The evil and cowardly act by Yura Varybrus deprived Charlie of a very bright and exciting future.”

A Legacy of Remembrance

In honour of Charlie, his family established the charity “Charlie’s Promise” to combat knife crime. Martin Cosser vowed that his son would never be forgotten: “Charlie Cosser was a beautiful human being, and this world is a lot worse off without him.”

The Lasting Impact

Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, Senior Investigating Officer of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, highlighted the gravity of the crime. He urged awareness about the dangers of carrying knives, emphasising that Varybrus’s actions affected not only Charlie but countless others. “This would not have happened if a knife had not been taken to a party,” Edey stated.

Heartbreaking Moments

In a video interview with Sussex Police, Martin Cosser recalled the heartbreaking scene at the hospital. Charlie, nicknamed “Cheeks” as a baby, had been stabbed four times. Martin’s helplessness remains etched in his memory: “I loved him more than words can say, and there I was, able to do nothing for him.”