Boy, 16, charged with murder of hero dad of four James Gibbons who was knifed by kids while helping homeless man

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was last night charged with the murder of James Gibbons.

The dad of four was knifed to death in Laindon, Essex, on Sunday after offering a homeless man food from his barbecue.

The dad of four was knifed to death in Laindon, Essex on Sunday after offering a homeless man food from his barbecue

The dad of four had been celebrating his twin girls' second birthday

James's family have said they are 'broken beyond belief'

A 16 year-old boy arrested shortly after the incident has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Essex Police said.

Detectives have also arrested a sixth person as part of their investigation, while a 13-year-old boy who was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder has since been released on bail until May 14.

Witnesses said Gibbons had been trying to stop a group of teenagers from picking on a homeless man when he was attacked.

Family members yesterday paid tribute to “Gibbo” saying they were “absolutely broken beyond belief”.

'AMAZING FATHER'

They said in a statement: “James was an amazing father of four young children, engaged to his partner of 11 years, and was a loving and supportive son and brother.

“James was a hard-working ­family-orientated man, who ran his own bathroom fitting company and was looking forward to a positive future for him and his family.

“This tragedy occurred after he had spent the day celebrating his two-year-old twin girls’ birthday at home and we are absolutely broken beyond belief at this pointless loss which has had a devastating effect on us all.

James died yards from his fiancée and their four children

“James was the kind of person who would always be prepared to help anyone less fortunate than himself, which is what he was doing on Sunday night.

“As a family we are urging anyone to come forward with any information that may help the police as they investigate James’s death in the hope we can get justice.”

Notes left with flowers at the scene described tragic James as “one in a million”.

Under a picture of smiling James cuddling Victoria and their children, a friend wrote: “This breaks my heart.”

James’s death came six years after brother Ashley — described as “loyal and a fantastic uncle” — passed away unexpectedly from an epileptic seizure.

Friend Kerri Goss wrote on Facebook: “I have never known a family to have a bond that even comes close to theirs.

“That’s how I know you’ll get through this, forever looking out for each other, extending to friends that became family, never leaving one person not knowing how much they are loved and appreciated.

“They lived life to the fullest each and every day. I feel blessed to have known their huge personalities, loved by the biggest hearts and felt the uniqueness they brought into the world.

Originally published on The Sun