Two men have gone on trial charged with the murder of a father-of-three at a shopping centre in south Essex.
Michael Ugwa, 29, from Rainham, east London, died at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock after he was assaulted on April 28 last year.
Muhammad Khan, 23, and 20-year-old Brandon Lutchmunsing deny his murder and are on trial at Basildon Crown Court.
Khan, of Ilford, east London, and Lutchmunsing, of Dagenham, east London, also deny affray.
Jurors were told Khan has admitted possession of a knife.
A third defendant, Shannon Weston, of Canewdon, denies three counts of assisting an offender and is also on trial.
The 21-year-old is accused of driving Khan and Lutchmunsing away from the shopping centre, and of helping Lutchmunsing to evade police between April 28 and May 4.
A jury was sworn in on Tuesday and judge Samantha Leigh sent them away to return on Wednesday, when they will hear prosecutor Karim Khalil KC open details of the case to them.
The trial, estimated to last six weeks, continues.
Paying tribute to Mr Ugwa after his death, his mother said he was a "kind man with a large personality and an even larger heart".
She added he was a "loving and supportive" partner to his would-have-been wife, a "great father" to his three children, a "caring" brother, and a "pillar of support" to his family.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article