A 16-YEAR-old boy has been charged with the murder of James Gibbons in Laindon.

Mr Gibbons, 34, who has many connections in Thurrock having grown up in Stanford-le-Hope and attended St Clere's School, was stabbed in Iris Mews at around 9.30pm on Sunday, 2 May and died soon after despite the efforts of emergency services. A post-mortem examination found he had died from stab wounds.

Police believe he had been attempting to aid another man at the time.

A 16 year-old boy arrested shortly after the incident has now been charged with murder and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Friday 7 May).

Detectives have also arrested a sixth person as part of their investigation.

A 13 year-old boy was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and has since been released on bail until 14 May.

Four other teenagers had also previously been arrested in connection with James' murder.

A 15 year old and a 16 year-old girl arrested on suspicion of murder and both have been told they face no further charges.

A 14 year old boy has been arrested in connection with James murder and released on bail until 25 May

A 13 year-old boy has been told he faces no further action in relation to the offence of murder but has been released on bail in connection with an assault offence.