Boy charged with murder of Good Samaritan James
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged with the murder of Good Samaritan James Gibbons.
He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.
The news came as James’s family were said to be suffering “unimaginable grief” as they faced a second sudden death tragedy in six years.
The father-of-four was killed just two weeks before the anniversary of the unexplained death of his beloved younger brother Ashley.
James was stabbed when he went to give food and comfort to a homeless man being mocked by youths in the street near his home on Sunday.
The plumber, who had been at a family barbecue to celebrate his twin daughters’ second birthday, died at the scene. The death has devastated his family at a time when they were preparing to commemorate the loss of his younger brother.
Ashley was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was three having suffered his first seizure at just eight months. He died on May 17, 2015, aged just 26.
One family friend said: “The pain and grief they must now be going through must be unbearable, unimaginable.” James’s mother Wendy has travelled from her home in Spain to be with his sister Valentine, fiancee Victoria Billingham and her grandchildren.
Five teenagers were arrested after the stabbing in Laindon, Essex, around 9.30pm on Sunday.
Another 13-year-old boy arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder has since been released on bail.
Two of the youths have been told they face no further charges.
A 14-year-old boy arrested in connection with James’s murder has been released on bail and a 13-yearold boy faces no further action in relation to the offence of murder but has been released on bail in connection with an assault offence.
Yesterday it was reported that kind-hearted James had gone to give barbecue food to a homeless man being taunted. During a confrontation he was fatally wounded. In a statement, James’s family said: “We are absolutely broken beyond belief at this pointless loss which has had a devastating effect on us all.
“James 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.”
The family’s tribute to James’s brother was strikingly similar.
It said: “Ashley would always help anyone in need, old, young, male, female, it didn’t matter.”
Friend Kerri Goss commented on Facebook: “They lived life to the fullest each and every day.
“I feel blessed to have known their huge personalities, be loved by the biggest hearts and felt the uniqueness they brought into the world.”