Lakeside shopping centre stabbing: Second man charged

A second man has been charged with the murder of a father-of-three at a shopping centre.

Michael Ugwa, 29, from Rainham, east London, was fatally stabbed at a food court in Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex, on 28 April.

Essex Police said Muhammad Khan, 22, of Ilford, east London, was due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court.

Earlier, Brandon Lutchmunsing, 19, of Dagenham, appeared at Basildon Crown Court charged with murder and affray.

Shannon Weston, 20, of Canewdon, Essex, also appeared charged with assisting an offender.

Police said Mr Khan had been charged with murder and affray.

The force said he was arrested on Wednesday in Chiswick, west London, along with a 54-year-old woman.

The woman, from Croydon, south London, was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender and later released under investigation, police said

Meanwhile, Mr Lutchmunsing, and Ms Weston were both not asked to enter a plea and were remanded into custody until a plea hearing on 1 July.

A trial date has been set for 11 April, which is expected to last six weeks.

In a statement released to the police by Mr Ugwa's mother, she said: "Michael was a kind man with a large personality and an even larger heart.

"As with many people, he was not a man without fault but, his desire to always try to better himself and strive for a brighter tomorrow made him a rich source of inspiration to not only his children, cousins, nieces and nephews but also to everyone who desired to see that silver lining.

"He was the kindest soul of all, as well as the most dependable friend anyone could ever have been blessed with."

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