HORRIFIED neighbours have compared their daily life to living in Alcatraz following the shocking murder of a dad-of-four.

Stuart Ball, who lives in Iris Mews, Laindon, says the area, called Somercotes, used to be known as “Scumercotes”.

Now, residents refer to the estate as Alcatraz, a famous American prison, due to its fortress-like appearance.

Mr Ball, 50, says there is often trouble with kids riding on motorbikes, revving their engines, causing a nuisance for residents in the area.

It follows the murder of 34-year-old James Gibbons, who was stabbed after coming to the aid of another man who’d confronted noisy youths.

Neighbours say a gang of yobs had been roaming the estate drinking in the lead up to the tragedy, with Michaela Hales, 38, left shocked by the killing.

The mum-of-five, said: “I can’t believe how young the kids are, we are thinking of moving out and renting privately now.

“You don’t want this on your doorstep, I can’t live here now.”

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Despite bike yobs causing trouble in the area, Mr Ball says there has never been an incident as serious as this.

He continued: “It’s definitely shocking this has happened, but at the same time it doesn’t entirely surprise me.

“They used to call these streets Scumercotes, now the area is known as as Alcatraz.

“It is sad, and does make you worry – I’ve got a family myself. There do need to be cameras around this whole estate.

“That being said, anyone that steps in to help someone else especially at the their own risk is very brave.”

Lisa Pierson, 31, added: “It tends to be groups of kids causing trouble. The trouble is there’s not anywhere for them to go.”

Westley Butler, who lives on the road, was saddened to hear a man had lost his life.

The 43-year-old, said: “I saw police outside, but they said to stay inside and blocked off the alleyway. I think the emergency services left around 11.30pm.

“You don’t want anyone to lose their life like this.”