A TEEN boy has been back in court charged with the murder of a beloved Laindon dad.

The 16-year-old boy appeared via video link from prison at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He is charged with murdering James Gibbons, who died on May 2 this year.

Father-of-four Mr Gibbons is understood to have been aiding a homeless man when he was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen in Iris Mews, Laindon at around 9.30pm.

Mr Gibbons had been hosting a barbecue with his family to celebrate his twin daughters’ second birthday before the fatal attack.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, dressed in a grey prison issue shirt and jumper, with a necklace with a cross around his neck.

He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

He did not enter a plea, with the case being adjourned until July 16 at the same court to allow for psychiatric reports to be prepared.

A provisional trial date has been set for October 4 at the same court.

Addressing the teen, Mrs Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said: "We have been doing what we can to ensure that your case proceeds quickly and effectively, and everyone is anxious to make sure your interests are protected and that it proceeds not just quickly but in a way that's best for everyone.

"You have interviews with psychiatrists and with solicitors and your counsel.

"It's in your best interests to cooperate with all of those interviews.

"You will be back here again on July 16."

Paying tribute to Mr Gibbons, or "Gibbo" after his death, his family described him as an "amazing" father, and a "hard-working family-orientated man, who ran his own bathroom fitting company".