Pair charged over jazz musician death

Two people are due to appear in court charged with the manslaughter of a pensioner outside his home.

Timothy Colwell, 65, a respected jazz saxophonist, died in hospital after an alleged attack in Howards Mead, Pennington, near Lymington in Hampshire.

Richard Harris, 20, from Lymington, and a 17-year-old youth, also from Lymington, were charged on Saturday night and will appear before New Forest magistrates on Monday.

Three females arrested in connection with the matter have been released without charge on police bail pending further inquiries, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said.

Tim was a terrific guy, a tireless campaigner against injustice A neighbour's tribute

Police were called to Mr Colwell's home at about 2120 BST on Thursday.

He had collapsed and was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Colwell, who once played with Kenny Ball's jazzmen, was still well known for playing in a jazz duo in the Hampshire area.

For ten years until 1986, he had his own band, Tim Colwell's Jazzfriends, which broadcast on the BBC.

Hanratty campaigner

His ill health led to the band's demise, but he continued playing locally in a duo with guitarist Gary Leport.

A neighbour writing on Mr Colwell's website said: "Tim was a terrific guy, a tireless campaigner against injustice."

He said Mr Colwell had been among those who lobbied for the pardon of James Hanratty, convicted of the A6 murder in the 1960s.