The following is a joint statement issued by Hampshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service in Wessex.
At 8.24pm on Sunday, April 10 2011 Able Seaman Ryan Samuel Donovan, aged 22, of Hillside Road, Dartford in Kent, was charged by Hampshire Constabulary with the murder of Lieutenant Commander Ian Thomas Molyneux, 36, the attempted murder of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, 36, the attempted murder of Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, 37, and the attempted murder of Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge, 45.
Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS Wessex said: “I have been working closely with Hampshire Constabulary and now have authorised them to charge Ryan Samuel Donovan with Ian Molyneux’s murder and with the attempted murder of Christopher Brown, David McCoy, and Christopher Hodge.
“Having reviewed the evidence, I am satisfied that there is sufficient to charge him, and that it is in the public interest to do so.
"I must remind the media to take care in reporting events surrounding this case. Mr Donovan has been charged with a serious offence and is entitled to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice any trial."
Mr Dovonan will remain in police custody until he is due to appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning, Monday 11 April 2011.
