TWO men have been charged with the murder of student Joe Medforth.

Carl Newton, 20, of Princes Way, Hexton, in Chorley, and Anthony Silcock, of Billiers Court, Preston, were appearing at Preston Magistrates Court today accused of the North Yorkshire student's death.

Joe, 21, a former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil, died in hospital after he was attacked at about 3.15am on Saturday while returning from a night out in Preston. He was studying psychology at the University of Central Lancashire.

His heartbroken family said they had been robbed "of the most gentle person in the world", while news of his death stunned the local community.

Joe came from Ryther, between York and Selby. His parents ran the post office at nearby Cawood for many years.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, July 20, 2005