The father of the teenager who murdered Charlie Cosser said he feels partially responsible for his death.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to stabbing Charlie to death at an end-of-term party in Warnham, near Horsham.

It is understood there was an argument before Charlie, from Milford in Surrey, was stabbed multiple times.

The 16-year-old from Chessington exchanged a raised fist salute with his father before he was taken down, while his mother wept in the public gallery.

Speaking after the hearing, his father said: “It’s not just him, we are all guilty.

“He is a child, we are all responsible and should have been making sure they were not drinking.

“I never saw him drinking before. I haven’t been able to see him for five days and he is only 16 - he is a child.

“We need him to know we love him and we will stay with him all his life.”

Charlie, known as Cheeks, was described as caring and loving by his devastated parents.

In a statement from his family, dad Martin, mum Tara, older brother Adam and younger sister Eloise paid tribute to him.

They said: “Our lives have been destroyed by the tragic and unnecessary loss of our son.

“He was the most caring, cheeky, loving son and brother we could have ever wished for, and we cannot imagine a life without him.

“His ridiculously silly sense of humour will be deeply missed by everyone that knew and loved him.”

A 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied assisting an offender at another hearing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The girl, from Horsham, pleaded not guilty to arranging transport from the scene, allowing an offender to stay at an address, arranging for a change of clothing and footwear, and putting a bloodied towel in a washing machine.

She will appear in court next month for a case management hearing.

A 52-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are still appealing for information.