A 13-year-old hurled a brick at a homeless man sparking an altercation which saw a dad stabbed to death in the street, a court heard.

James Gibbons, 34, was yards from his home in Iris Mews, Laindon, when the 16-year-old defendant stabbed him four times on May 2 this year, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Mr Gibbons died some time after 9.30pm, said Simon Taylor QC, prosecuting, adding that no weapon has been recovered.

A homeless man “who had befriended Mr Gibbons in the days before his death”, had gone to Mr Gibbons’ house “in the hope of being given food” from a barbecue that Mr Gibbons was having to celebrate his twin daughters’ birthday, Mr Taylor said.

He added: “Mr Gibbons had given the homeless man food and the teenagers were pulling at his coat and tried to take his phone and one of them threw a brick at the man.

Echo:

“Mr Gibbons chased them away and then witnesses heard a thump and Mr Gibbons was then on the floor with stab wounds.

A 13-year-old told police Mr Gibbons was stopping the youths speaking to the homeless man.

“He said Mr Gibbons was in their faces and shouting and he also touched the private areas of some of the youths. He said Mr Gibbons had a metal pole and hit the defendant who fell against some railings.

“When a nurse checked the defendant he didn’t have any injuries. The teenager told police they were going to a football cage and came across the homeless man and Mr Gibbon.

“The allegation is that the 16-year-old murdered James Gibbons. He was stabbed by the defendant and it occurred just yards from his home after a confrontation with Mr Gibbons and youths who are associated to the defendant.”

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Mr Taylor also told the jury the defendant has no previous convictions against him.

The court heard Mr Gibbons was celebrating his twin daughters’ second birthday prior to the incident occurring.

The cause of death in a post mortem examination was given as stabbing to the abdomen. Mr Gibbons suffered four stabbed wounds. The defendant will argue the weapon was used in selfdefence.

Mr Taylor added: “There is no dispute that the defendant inflicted the wounds but it is disputed whether it was offensive or defensive and if it was defensive whether he used reasonable force.” The trial continues.