Nineteen year-olds appear in court facing murder and obstruction charges

WOOLWICH CROWN COURT — Bradley Blundell and Ella Colgate appeared in court last week, facing charges relating to the murder of John Portage in Chelmsford in August 2017.

Mr Blundell, 19, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and handling stolen goods, appeared stony-faced as court officials discussed the case with the judge, Charles Gratwicke QC.

With him was Ella Colgate, 19, who is facing charges of perverting the court of justice for allegedly encouraging witnesses to the shooting to lie about what they had seen when being questioned by police.

Prosecutor Tracy Ayling QC had previously told the court that Blundell shot and killed Mr Portage, an electrician, after Portage made commented on Colgate’s “nice bum” and referred derisively to Blundell as “the milky bar kid”.

Blundell disputes this narrative, claiming that the shot was fired by an unnamed friend. Blundell claims he did not call 999 due to his being in a state of panic, before fleeing the country in fear of prosecution. He handed himself into police in Amsterdam several months ago.