Teen charged with Joshua Harling murder winks at his dad during court appearance

Benjamin Eyles was charged last night with murdering 19-year-old accountant Joshua Harling, from Oxford, on July 22 this year in Thame.

Eyles, 19, was also charged with ‘conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent’ alongside Nathan Braim at Elms Park in Thame on July 18.

At Oxford Magistrates’ Court today Eyles, of Monks Hollow, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

ALSO READ: Bucks man re-arrested following Josh Harling's death

He was wearing a grey fleece and black jogging bottoms with stripes down the side.

During the hearing he winked at his crying father and nodded to the district judge who told him that the charge was so serious it could only be heard at a crown court.

She said: “I don’t have the power to sentence you, or even consider bail and all I can do is send you to crown court on Friday.”

As he was escorted back to the cells with two guards, Eyles also blew a kiss to his father.

Mr Harling died after being stabbed in the chest on July 22.

Firefighters also responded to a car crash in Thame that night which is understood to be connected.

ALSO READ: 'Our protector, our rock, our shining star' - Family tribute to Thame teen

The 19-year-old Mr Harling, who lived in Headington, had been working as an accountant when he was killed.

Days later, on July 26, 19-year-old Braim, of Broadwaters Avenue, Thame, was charged with murder.

He has been remanded in custody to appear for a trial at Oxford Crown Court on January 4 next year.

A 16-year-old boy from Oxfordshire, who was 15 at the time and previously arrested on suspicion of murder, remains on bail until October 22.

A 19-year-old man from Oxfordshire who was also arrested on suspicion of murder has now been released with no further action.