Man stabbed to death trying to stop bike thieves

A MAN has been stabbed to death trying to stop a gang stealing a moped outside his home.

Ricky Hayden, 27, who worked as a bodyguard to stars including Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, was attacked along with his father Paul after the pair confronted the gang in Chadwell Heath, east London.

Paul Hayden, 46, suffered non-life-threatening knife wounds while his son died later in hospital.  

Police have arrested two men in connection with the attack, which happened at 1.35am on Tuesday on Gibbfield Close.  

Neighbour Bella Tasci, 34, said Mr Hayden, who was also a council worker, had built the bike himself with his younger brother Perry.

She said a gang had been “hanging around the area” and the Hayden family dog had also been slashed in the attack.

Andrew Blake-Herbert, chief executive of Havering Council, said: "Everyone at the council is devastated by the news of this horrendous, senseless crime.

"Our condolences and thoughts are with Ricky's family and friends. Our prayers are also with his father who remains in hospital.

“Ricky was a well-liked team member and of course we will be offering support to his friends and colleagues in the council who will be feeling this loss very deeply.”

Tributes have also been paid to Mr Hayden by friends on social media.

Charlotte Jones posted pictures of Mr Hayden on Facebook with the message: 'We were lucky enough to have met and grown up with Ricky Hayden. One of the most cheekiest guys with a cute smile and a huge kind heart... You'll forever be in our hearts.'

Almost impossible to post but #RickyHayden you deserve our respect #Rip and our prayers ar… https://t.co/4xYtxfOMTp pic.twitter.com/Nl8rydfAHS

— Circuit (@CircuitEssex) September 13, 2016

Det Ch Insp Andrew Packer said: "Gibbfield Close is a residential street and while there would not have been many people out and about at the time of this attack, it was a warm night and people would have had their windows open.

"I am appealing to anyone who heard, or subsequently saw, anything suspicious to come forward and speak to police."