An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a 63-year-old man in Ipswich on New Year's Day. Jake McMillan faces court proceedings after William McNicholl, known as Billy, was found dead at a property in Hawthorn Drive.
Suffolk Police were called to the address shortly before 6pm on January 1, where they discovered McNicholl's body inside the property. A Home Office post-mortem examination revealed he died from head injuries and a stab wound to the right shoulder.
Murder investigation launched
Suffolk Constabulary's Major Investigation Team led the murder inquiry into McNicholl's death. The investigation has resulted in multiple arrests over several months as detectives worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding the killing.
McMillan, most recently of Banbury Road, Hackney in London, but formerly of Ipswich, was initially arrested as a 17-year-old boy on January 22 on suspicion of murder. He was subsequently bailed with conditions before being re-arrested on Monday.
Additional charges filed
The teenager, who has since turned 18, was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning following his re-arrest. He has now been charged with murder and also being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
McMillan has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The case marks a significant development in the investigation that has spanned several months.
Multiple arrests made
Police arrested three other people on April 1 as part of the ongoing investigation. A 17-year-old boy, 18-year-old man and 41-year-old man were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs.
All three were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and were subsequently bailed to return to police on October 1. A woman in her 50s, who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder before being released on bail, will face no further action.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
