In a tragic turn of events, 17-year-old Yura Varybrus has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of fellow teenager Charlie Cosser at a party in Sussex. The court’s verdict, delivered on June 19, 2024, marked the culmination of a harrowing case that has left a family devastated and a community reeling.
The incident occurred at a party on Marches Lane, Warnham, where Varybrus fatally stabbed Charlie Cosser around midnight on July 22, 2023. Charlie, also 17, from Milford in Surrey, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on July 25, leaving his family heartbroken.In a statement, the Cosser family expressed their profound grief: “Our lives have been destroyed by the tragic and unnecessary loss of our son.”
Following a trial at Brighton Law Courts in May, Varybrus was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article. At the sentencing hearing, Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC lifted Varybrus’s anonymity, sentencing him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years before he is eligible for parole.
Charlie Cosser’s family, including his parents Martin and Tara, older brother Adam, and younger sister Eloise, shared the devastating impact of their loss. Martin Cosser, speaking on behalf of the family, described the profound void left by Charlie’s death.
“Our son Charlie was just 17-years-old when he went out to a party and never came home,” Martin said. “The evil and cowardly act by Yura Varybrus deprived Charlie of a very bright and exciting future, and took him away from a mum, a dad, a brother, and a sister who loved him more than words can say.”
In memory of Charlie, the family has established a charity, Charlie’s Promise, aimed at combating knife crime. Martin emphasized the importance of this initiative: “We will ensure, as his family and loved ones, that he is never forgotten. This serves to be the legacy he so rightly deserves. We will not let Varybrus take any more from us as a family.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team highlighted the broader implications of the crime, stressing the long-lasting impact of carrying a knife. “This was a devastating crime which has had a huge impact on the family of Charlie as well as the lives of so many other young people,” Edey stated, thanking the community and witnesses for their support in achieving justice for Charlie.
Martin Cosser, in a poignant video interview with Sussex Police, reminisced about his son’s wit and humor, recalling that Charlie was nicknamed “Cheeks” as a baby. He recounted the night of the incident and the heartbreak of seeing his son in a critical condition.
“What we were greeted with will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Martin shared. “Charlie had been stabbed four times. He was really sick. You can’t prepare yourself to see your child, your little boy, I loved him more than words can say, and there I was, able to do nothing for him.”The family’s nightmare ended with the devastating news on July 25 that Charlie would not recover from the brain damage caused by the attack.
Martin now channels his grief into advocacy, urging young people to reconsider carrying knives. “If you stab somebody, and, God forbid, kill them, you can’t take it back,” he warned. “Carrying a knife as a weapon is no different to carrying a gun if you are carrying it with the intent to hurt somebody. This is murder. This is a life sentence for you as well as the victim’s families. Why would you want to do that He implored others to make better choices, emphasizing that everyone has the power to choose a different path.
The sentencing of Yura Varybrus serves as a somber reminder of the tragic consequences of knife crime, a message the Cosser family hopes will resonate far and wide to prevent further senseless loss.
