Memorial to murdered student

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a University of Portsmouth student on October 26th in Hilsea.

Nineteen year-old student, Jed Sheridan, was studying an Access course at the university before his death.

Jed's body was discovered in his bed by his family. It is reported that following an altercation, involving six men on his way home from an evening out with friends, Jed died of severe head injuries, according to the post mortem. The incident is believed to have happened on Norway Road, Copnor, just after midnight that morning.

Larry Leaver, sixteen, is reported to have been accompanying Jed on his way home. Leaver has described the final journey. He states they were heading home for the night: "As we came over the railway line I saw these three men and we got into a conversation with them. It got a bit aggressive and we went down into the yard to carry it on. Jed got bottled in the face and there was blood everywhere, so I stepped in. There were some punches thrown and it got really nasty, but it stopped after a few minutes."

The police investigation into Sheridan's death focused on the house in Copnor where his body
was found, along with a detailed forensic search of Norway Road. This investigation led to significant delays to local residents and commuters. (The local resident had chosen to study art, design and photography as he had always enjoyed expressing himself.)

Friends of the student have created a Facebook group      commemorating and celebrating his life, and to tell his story. Kelsie Whitwood, the creator of the online tribute to Jed, has been quoted as saying “he was worried about getting hassle at night”.The two suspects have been named as Darren Abrams, twenty, and Terry Sewell, nineteen, from the Copnor area of Portsmouth.

Appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 31st October  for an initial hearing, Abrams, of no fixed abode, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. He has been remanded in custody until the trial begins at Winchester Crown Court in February.

If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.