A boy charged with murdering Joshua Hall appeared briefly at Gloucester Crown Court today, in a short hearing beset by technical difficulties.

The 15-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared from Vinney Green Secure Unit in Emersons Green. But technical problems meant the hearing was carried out in his absence.

On Monday he appeared at Cheltenham Youth Court, charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon following a fatal stabbing at Cam Sports Ground on Friday.

No pleas were entered today, nor was an application for bail made. However Catherine Flint, defending, said an application for bail would be made in due course.

Judge Peter Blair QC, who appeared via video link from Bristol Crown Court, permitted the hearing to continue in the defendant's absence and remanded him into the same location authority accommodation pending a bail application.

The judge said bail would be refused due to 'fear of failing to surrender and the due to the nature and seriousness of the offence'.

The hearing was adjourned for a pre-trial and preparation hearing on June 14.

A potential date for trial is October 4.

Meanwhile, this morning a further arrest was made in connection with the murder of Joshua Hall.

A 29-year-old man from Dursley was arrested on suspicion of murder and the supply of class B drugs this morning and remains in police custody.

The arrest follows information that was developed about another individual who may have been involved in Friday’s fatal stabbing.

A 20-year-old man and the second 15-year-old boy who were arrested last week remain released under investigation.