A 20-YEAR-OLD man will appear in court this morning accused of murdering Connor Tremble.

William Blencowe was charged by detectives last night with killing 17-year-old Connor, after he was found critically injured at his flat in Fairacres Road, Iffley Fields, Oxford, last Thursday.

Blencowe, 20, was arrested on Friday by detectives, just hours before Connor died in the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Connor was found with stab wounds to his chest, hands and legs.

Blencowe, of Oxford Road in Banbury, will appear before Oxford magistrates today.

His charging comes as Connor’s friend Shelby Delaney and aunt Michelle Scott said his family had drawn support from tributes paid to the tragic teenager by his friends.

Mourners from Oxford and Banbury let off balloons and lanterns in memory of Connor at Spiceball Park on Sunday evening.

Ms Delaney, who said Connor was like her brother, said: “It was beautiful.

“Connor would have been so proud, watching all your balloons, lanterns and notes fly to him.”

Ms Scott posted on Facebook: “We are overwhelmed by the support that everyone is giving, and appreciate everyone is suffering, all his friends, acquaintances and people that knew him.

“He was obviously much loved by many.”

Friend Kalum Brain, from Oxford, is now planning to have a memorial bench installed by the Oxford Canal.

The 18-year-old said he hoped people would come to lay flowers, sit down and remember the teen.

He said: “Thinking about all the good times we had, I can’t believe I’m never going to see him or hear his voice again.

“I miss just sitting in his house cracking jokes.

“He was honestly one of the best guys I knew and no matter what we did we always had a laugh.

“I will remember all of the times we had forever. He didn’t deserve this.”

A friend – who calls herself Lucy-Anne online – has set up a Facebook page to raise money for two memorial benches. She wrote on the site: “Connor was a inspirational, always smiling lovely young man.”

A former pupil of Banbury’s Blessed George Napier School, Connor – who had been in care since December 2012 – lived in supported accommodation.

The flat was provided by Key2 on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

It remained sealed off yesterday as the police investigation continues. Officers were also searching drains near the crime scene for evidence yesterday.

Further medical tests are due to be carried out after a post-mortem examination did not find an exact cause of Connor’s death.

On Sunday night Connor’s parents Lisa Tremble and Martin Smith appealed for people to call police with any information they might have about his death.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.