A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a dad who died after being kicked in the head.

Lloyd Deacon was arrested following the death of Gary Bassett, 51, who was attacked in an alleyway behind Debenhams, off Market Pavement in Basildon, last Friday.

The 27-year-old appeared in the dock at Basildon Magistrates’ Court wearing a red jumper.

Deacon of Parsons Field, Dedham, near Colchester, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

Members of Mr Bassett’s family, including his devastated son Tom, watched proceedings from the public gallery.

Deacon was told the matter was too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

Sam Doyle, prosecuting, said: “This case must be sent forthwith to the Crown court, the charge is one of murder and it must go there.

“He can’t make a bail application today.

“The family are with us this morning in the back of the court.”

Lucy Osborn, defending, said: “There is nothing for me to add.”

Deacon, who is a welder by trade, is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court this morning where he will be able to make a bail application.

A 53-year-old man, from Clacton, was also arrested on suspicion of murder, but has been bailed until August 24.

Mr Bassett was well-known within the Basildon homeless community, although he was not homeless himself.

He was a former Fryerns School pupil and was known for spending time with the rough sleepers who congregate in the town centre.

The assault happened in the alleyway that backs on to Debenhams in the Eastgate centre.

The attack was the second fatality in just over a year in the area, after Daniel Mitchell-Munroe was stabbed to death outside Iceland, in Market Pavement, in June 2016.

Joram Bakumanya was jailed for a minimum of 25 years after a trial earlier this year.

After Friday’s attack, an Essex Police spokesman said: “No weapons were seen and this is believed to be an isolated incident.

“Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward, as they believe there were a number of witnesses near the immediate area at the time.”

Anyone with information should contact the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.