Bail for boy over punch death

A 13-year-old boy arrested over the death of a promising footballer and childhood friend of former X Factor star Frankie Cocozza has been bailed.

Detectives are continuing to question two 14-year-old boys on suspicion of the murder of Connor Saunders, 19, who died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton following an argument in the street on Saturday night.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Two 14-year-old boys remain in custody today on suspicion of murder. A 13-year-old boy, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released on bail until May 8 pending further inquiries.”

Mr Saunders, of Brighton, is believed to have received a punch during an altercation between two groups in Rottingdean, East Sussex, between 10.30 and 10.55pm on Saturday, police said.

After the teenager’s death Cocozza tweeted: “My life will never be the same.”

He began the message with the “#cs26” hashtag, which has been used by Sussex Police in messages about the incident.

The Peacehaven and Telscombe Football Club said they had lost a “wonderful person and talented footballer”. “We have all lost a wonderful person and talented footballer. Connor has many friends because of his lovely nature and his loss is tragic to everyone connected to our club, his friends and family.”