Woman in court charged in connection with double murder

Tara Knaggs, 24, from Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, was charged with assisting an offender following a fatal collision in Sunbury Cross, Surrey, on Monday, July 22. 

Knaggs, of Little Ayton Lane, appeared at Guildford Crown Court today (Tuesday, July 30), for a bail hearing, where her bail was removed and she was remanded into custody. 

She will next attend a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 1. 

Police were called to the A316 southbound slip road onto the M3 in the early hours of Monday, July 22, after a crash involving a black e-bike. 

South East Coast Ambulance Service rushed to the scene but one man was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while another died in hospital later that same day. 

The victims of the tragic incident have since been named as William Birchard, 21, from Colnbrook, and Darren George, 22, from Egham.

William Birchard (Image: SURREY POLICE)

Last week, Alex Rose, 29, of Sunbury-upon-Thames, was charged with two counts of murder and one count of perverting the course of justice and was remanded in custody. 

He also appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday morning, and was also remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing date on November 1. 

As previously reported, a 24-year-old man from Walton-on-Thames and a 24-year-old man from Feltham were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and were released on bail.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Debbie Birch previously said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the two victims at this incredibly difficult time. 

“Our investigation is still in the early stages, and our officers are working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this incident and gather evidence.

“We are urgently looking to speak to anyone with any information that may assist our investigation.

“Were you in the area around Sunbury Cross between 00.40am and 00.50am on Monday, 22 July? Do you have any CCTV, dash cam or helmet cam footage that may have captured all or part of this incident?

“We are particularly interested in tracing the movements and manner of driving of a black e-bike and a black Ford Ranger travelling through the area during this time.”

Inspector Matt Walton, Borough Commander for Spelthorne, said: “We appreciate that this incident will have come as a shock to the local community, particularly to those who knew the victims.

“We are also aware that there has been some online commentary which has caused great distress to the victims’ families. We ask that you do not share any photos, memes, or footage you might see in relation to this incident.

“Our investigation is still in the early stages, and we ask the public not to speculate on the circumstances while we are still carrying out enquiries.”