TWO men appeared in court on Monday charged with murdering 24-year-old former Archway School pupil Jody Dobrowski.

Unemployed Thomas Pickford, 25, and decorator Scott Walker, 33, spoke only to confirm their names and ages at South Western Magistrates Court, Clapham.

The pair - of no fixed abode - were remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on January 31.

Jody, who grew up in Stroud, died after being brutally attacked on Clapham Common on Friday, October 14.

* If anyone would like to share their thoughts about Jody please email the SNJ at snjnews@stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk

Comments received so far:

*This is such a devastating waste of a truly wonderful guy. I've not seen Jody much since I left school. He was one of the good ones.

I always hoped I would bump into when back in Stroud. I cant think of anyone that didn't like Jody. My memories of him are mostly funny ones with loads of laughing involved.

I am so sorry this has happened. He was a really special person who just shouldn't have been taken away.

Kathryn Bayly

*I knew Jody well at school he was always a fun loving out going guy who always had a smile. I was shocked and appalled when I heard of his brutal murder the weekend just passed.

No one deserves to leave this world in that way especially someone like Jody. Although I have not seen him for a good few years I remember him like it was only yesterday.

The last time I saw him he was full of joy like he so often was, we were in what was stroud bus station if I remember correctly talking about what was going to be his new life , all was on the up and up.

I'd like to pass my sincere sorrow and sadness to his family especially his mum, dad and brother Jake who I also knew well from my Archway days with Jody.

My thoughts are with them all in what must be a very difficult time. One thing you can be sure of is he'll never be forgotten.

Respectfully David Bayley-Ryan

*I was at Archway with Jody and like the entire nation, I am horrified and shocked by this devastating unprovoked attack.

He was such a popular guy, who will be remembered as being extremely kind natured, intelligent, sweet and funny...always making people laugh.

As well as being missed by his family and many friends, without a doubt Jody is also in the thoughts of hundreds of people who new him at Archway.

My sincere condolences go to his family and close friends.

Lizzie Mellish

*I would like to add my feelings to those that have already expressed their shock and great sadness concerning the killing of Jody Dobrowski.

I grew up in Stroud and feel very privilaged to be able to say that a lot of my growing up was done with Jody. Throughout this time I learned first hand what makes a genuine friend, someone who has no false qualities about them and is interested only in seeing those close to them for what they are. I have no doubt in my mind that those that met Jody will have come away thinking what an articulate, funny, friendly person he was. He taught me so much and even though I had not seen him for a number of years, talking to him before I left England felt like we were back at school.

I'm struggling to understand how anyone could take it upon themselves to physically harm someone because of their lifestyle. There is no place for this behaviour or thought in our society and it is down to each and every one of us to prevent a tragedy like this from reoccuring. As Jake said those that did this will never know the pain and anguish they have caused. Jody had so much to achieve and it speaks volumes that so many are grieving his death, he touched all of our lives and should not have been taken away from us.

My deepest sympathies go to Jody's family and those that were close to him, I know that no words can replace Jody or heal the pain that you must be feeling now. But I for one feel that my life was influenced by Jody and I know that many many others feel the same and will continue to remember all those happy times and the young man from Poland with an insatiable appetite for life.

Trevor Brinkman