A MAN accused of murdering a Pitsea restaurant worker has appeared in court.

Joram Bakumanya, 22, unemployed, of no fixed address, was last night charged with killing Daniel Mitchell-Monroe and appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Daniel, 37, was stabbed to death outside Iceland, in Market Pavement, Basildon, at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.

He sadly died at the scene.

A post mortem examination has given the cause of his death as stab wounds to the chest.

Bakumanya appeared in court wearing a red prison issue tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

When asked where he lived, he said: "I am currently homeless".

He did not enter a plea.

During the first hearing, more than a dozen members of Daniel's family sat and stood at the back of the courtroom, some of whom were crying.

Chairman of the bench Jennifer Kirton told Bakumanya that the charge was too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates' court and could only be dealt with at the crown court.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow morning.

When Mrs Kirton was speaking, Baumanya appeared to visibly pant and struggle to breathe.

He collapsed onto security guards as he was led out of the dock.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Al Pitcher, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said his team were appealing for witnesses.

He said: "The incident happened in a busy area of Basildon town centre and there would have been a lot of people in the area of Market Pavement at the time.

"We continue to appeal for anyone who saw what happened or has any information to please contact us.”

Contact Essex Police on 101 or email scdappeals @essex.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.