Teens accused of Big Issue vendor murder

11/05/2009

Three boys due in court after Friday's brutal killing

Tributes have been paid to the Big Issue seller brutally killed in an attack in Bournemouth on Friday.

Three teenagers are now in custody after being charged with the murder of 41-year-old Ralph Millward, who was found dead outside Marks & Spencers in the town's Westbourne area.

One 14-year-old and two 16-year-old boys, all from Poole, appeared at Poole Youth Court today and were remanded in custody, awaiting trial, with dates yet to be set.

Three other teenagers – two girls and one boy – were held over the attack but later released without charge.

Dorset Police said that post-mortem tests showed Millward had died as a result of injuries sustained in the assault. “It was a totally unprovoked attack,” said Dorset police spokesman Neil Smith. “By all accounts Ralph was part of the community there, and he’ll be missed.”

Ralph had been a well-liked Big Issue vendor for over eight years, and staff in his regional office remember him as a voracious reader. He typically turned up at the office at the end of his working day with his nose buried in a book.

“He had become well respected and loved by staff and volunteers at The Big Issue as well as with his customers and the wider community,” said Samantha Allen, Bournemouth’s distribution manager.  “He was caring gentleman who brightened our day and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Friend Alwyn Ladell said: "Ralph was rarely morose and counted the blessing of nature and his many friends. His violent and untimely death is tragedy that will scar our community for years. But, whilst his death was pointless, his life was not, and keeping his memory alive may spur us into lending a hand to others."