Father Of 4 Stabbed To Death By Group Of Teens While Offering Food To Homeless Man

A father of four who left his twin daughters’ birthday barbecue to offer leftovers to a homeless man has been stabbed to death by a group of teenagers.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the incident which took place over the weekend.

James Gibbons, 34, had been celebrating his 2-year-old daughters’ birthday at his home on an estate known as "Alcatraz" in Laindon, Essex, when he left the property for a brief period to offer leftovers to a homeless man nearby. Unfortunately, he encountered a group of youngsters who ended up tormenting him, reported 7 News.

Gibbons got into an altercation with the teenagers in an attempt to protect the homeless man. When he tried to chase them off, he was fatally stabbed by a knife one of the group members was carrying. Paramedics tried to revive him several times but failed. He died at the scene, meters away from the home he shared with his fiancée Victoria Billingham and their four children.

Police made at least six arrests as part of the investigation. Apart from the 16-year-old boy who has been charged with murder, police also nabbed a 13-year-old boy. He has been granted bail until May 14. Another boy, aged 14, was arrested as well. He has been released on bail until May 25.

A 13-year-old boy, who was told he faced no further action in connection with the incident, has also been released on bail, according to the police. Meanwhile, two girls, aged 15 and 16, were spared charges, reported The Guardian.

The 16-year-boy who is facing the murder charge is scheduled to appear at Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court on Friday, according to The Guardian.

Gibbons ran his own bathroom fitting business and was affectionately called "Gibbo" by his friends. Family members described him as a "selfless man" and an "amazing father," according to 7 News.

"We believe the victim was coming to the aid of another man who was in the area and was attacked by one or more of the youths which appears to have cost him his life. ‘We’re really keen to hear from anyone that was in that area, may have seen something happen, or even just heard in the local area what could have taken place and who could have been involved," Detective Chief Inspector of Essex Police Stephen Jennings said as per Echo.