Yura Varybrus: Teenage murderer named for first time

Charlie Cosser was stabbed to death at a summer party being held in Warnham, near Horsham, West Sussex

The teenager who murdered 17-year-old Charlie Cosser at a West Sussex house party last summer has been named for the first time.

Yura Varybrus, 17, stabbed Charlie three times in the chest inside a marquee which had been erected in the ground of a farmhouse in Warnham on July 23, 2023. The party was crowded at the time, with more than 100 people in attendance.

Varybrus, who was 16 years old at the time of the murder, was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article following a trial at Brighton Crown Court. A reporting restriction on the teenager’s name had been in place due to his age, but this was lifted following applications by the press. There are still restrictions around reporting his address and where he is detained.

Judge Christine Henson KC said on Wednesday (June 19): “This is a case that is a particularly grave crime and has attracted substantial national and local interest. The level of youth crime in this case is likely to be of significant public interest at a private party attended by many young people.

“Charlie Cosser’s death has shocked a community and the family have set up a charity to fight against knife crime. Disclosure may aid the local community in coming to terms with this incident.”

She added: “The lifting of the restriction promotes public confidence in justice and the interests of the public receiving fair, accurate and unrestricted reporting of such crimes.”

Varybrus was found guilty of the murder of the 17-year-old, whom he did not know, after stabbing him as a fight broke out between them and two other boys on the dancefloor. It came after Varybrus and his friends were asked to leave the party after complaints about behaviour towards a girl who was there.

The jury in his trial heard that witnesses at the party saw Varybrus “drenched” in blood and heard him say “I’ve stabbed someone” after the attack. Part of the incident was also caught on camera as partygoers filmed dancing.

The teenager did not give evidence at the trial but denied all charges. He is due to be sentenced at Brighton Crown Court later today (June 19).

Yura Varybrus: Teenage murderer who killed 17-year-old Charlie Cosser at West Sussex house party named