After James Gibbons was stabbed to death in Laindon, Essex, a 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder.

Teenager charged with killing James Gibbons. Mr Gibbons, 34, died shortly after the attack in the street where he lived.

He had gone to help another man during an argument. The police force said the self-employed plumber died at 9.30pm on Sunday. According to family members he had celebrated his twin daughters’ second birthday that day.

During an investigation police arrested six teenagers. The 16-year-old boy is due to appear on Friday at Chelmsford Margistrates Court charged with murder. Mr Gibbons family described him as an “amazing father of four young children, engaged to his partner of 11 years, and… a loving and supportive son and brother”.

Police released a statement on behalf of the family which said “James was a hard-working family-orientated man, who ran his own bathroom fitting company and was looking forward to a positive future for him and his family.

This tragedy occurred after he had spent the day celebrating his two-year-old twin girls’ birthday at home and we are absolutely broken beyond belief at this pointless loss which has had a devastating effect on us all.

James was the kind of person who would always be prepared to help anyone less fortunate than himself, which is what he was doing on Sunday night.

As a family we are urging anyone to come forward with any information that may help the police as they investigate James’ death in the hope we can get justice.”