A COMMUNITY champion charged in connection with the murder of two Southend men has had his case referred to crown court.

Michael Clinton, 41, a driver, from Church Close, Beck Row, Mildenhall, is charged with perverting the course of justice on March 15.

Shane Hill, 21, from Stromness Road, Southend and David Castell, 29, of no fixed abode from the Southend area were found dead at the Willow Park caravan site with gunshot wounds on the evening of March 15.

Clinton, who has been involved in organising local carnivals in Mildenhall, had his case adjourned to Ipswich Crown Court on unconditional bail.

The allegation is that on March 15 he committed and act or series of acts intedning to pervert the course of justice.

Christopher Line, 28, from Willow Park, and formerly from a number of south Essex traveller sites, has been charged with both murders and is due to appear at the court in the new year.

Sam Vinden, 38, from Willow Park, who also used to live on traveller sites in South Essex, remains on police bail over the murders.