Fifth man in court charged with Exmouth murder

A fifth man has appeared in court charged with murder after the death of a 24-year-old man in Exmouth.

Ben Helliker, 26, of Halsdon Road, Exmouth, has been accused of murdering Denva Smith on 31 May in the town.

Helliker was jointly charged with the murder along with Zac Davies, 23, of Hawthorn Grove, Exmouth; Dylan Chadwick, 23, of Cambourne Avenue, St Helens; Ben Mason, 23, of no fixed abode; and Thomas Ward, 24, of Russell Walk, Exeter.

Police said Mr Smith was pronounced dead from a stab wound at about 01:00 BST in a garden of a property in Ashfield Close, Exmouth.

Helliker was remanded in custody and will appear before a judge at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday.

The other defendants are due to appear in Exeter Crown Court in mid-July.

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