THREE teenagers appeared in court this afternoon charged in connection with the death of a Goan sailor in a Hampshire village.

Another youth appeared at Southampton Youth Court charged in connection with the beating of another crewman during the same alleged attack that led to the death of 32-year-old Gregory Fernandes .

The youths, all from the Fawley area, spoke only to confirm their names and give their date of births and addresses before the charges were read out to them.

As reported by the Daily Echo, two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old face charges of murder, grevious bodily harm and violent disorder and the 14-year-old faces a charge of violent disorder and GBH.

During the two-and-a-half hour hearing bail applications in respect of one of the 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old were heard but refused.

The charges relate to an incident at Church Lane, Fawley, on October 20 while Mr Fernandes and his fellow crew member were enjoying an evening in the village while their ship was berthed at the refinery.

The youths are alleged to be part of a group that attacked the pair.

Both the 17-year-olds were remanded into custody, the 15-year-old remanded to the care of the local authority and the 14-year-old was released on bail until May 7.

A week after the death more than 300 local residents took part in a special service at All Saints Church and then staged a procession to the village square where candles were lit in memory of the sailor.

His uncle, Father Diogo Fernandes, flew over from America at the end of October and prayed near the spot where his nephew was attacked. A tree was also planted in memory of the seaman at the village green.