TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind-hearted and genuine” dad who was stabbed to death after an argument in the street.

Police have launched a murder investigation after the man, named locally as 27-year-old Westcliff shop owner Ladi Benson, was stabbed in Chelmsford on Tuesday night.

Mr Benson, a father-of-two, who ran Princes Street shoe and clothes shop Numero 88, died in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford later that evening.

He was rushed to A&E after a group of men flagged down an ambulance in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford.

Friends have paid tribute to the Mr Benson, who lived in Southend. He opened the shop on March 21 and only two weeks ago refurbished it, with a new openplan layout, and a new changingroom and stockroom.

Among his customers was former Eastenders star Danniella Westbrook, who posted on the Instagram picture website that she loved the shop.

Derek Warwick, 71, who works at nearby Wow Sporting Memorabilia, said: “He was a likeable sort of chap with a young family. I think his youngest can’t be more than about three months old, and the eldest can’t be more than two-and-a-half.

“I talked to him a lot and he was very keen to get his business going, something that was very much bespoke.”

Fellow Princes Street trader Amanda Winter, 51, of Kay Tailoring, said: “He was ever such a nice lad, very polite and helpful.

“One of the girls here was struggling with some of the sewing gear she had to walk with to the factory and he locked his shop, came over and picked it all up. He carried it around the corner for her. He always said hello and waved. He was always smiling.

“For this to have happened so early in the evening, it’s shocking – and for someone so young with a young family.”

Friend Imran Akhtar posted a tribute on Facebook, saying: “No matter where, you were never too busy to have a chat.

“A kind person that had everything to come in life. Rest in peace, Ladi Benson.”

Another Facebook post, by Alex Maher, said: “Rest in peace to one of the kindest, most caring people, Ladi Benson.

“I can't even begin to imagine what your family is going through at this time.