A man was fatally stabbed on his only son's second birthday, his devastated family has revealed.

Jay Clarke died following an altercation in Basildon town centre, leaving young Tyreece without a father.

The revelation came as police charged a Basildon man with the murder.

Gary Rosier, 45, of Woodstock Crescent, a security consultant, is due before Basildon magistrates today.

The dead man's grandfather, Derek Clarke, said the 30-year-old's family would sorely miss him.

Mr Clarke said: "Jay, you were larger than life to your family and many friends, especially your lovely little boy Tyreece, whose second birthday was on the day you were so brutally taken from us by this mindless act."

Mr Clarke said Jay's mother, Cheryl, of Copdoek, Basildon, had been devastated by the news of her son's death. Three men were arrested at an address in Kent on Saturday morning.

A 20-year-old Basildon man was released on police bail yesterday and will report back to police on November 22.

The third man, a 40-year-old from Kent, was released on police bail on Saturday and will also report back on November 22.

Mr Clarke's murder was the fourth to take place in Basildon in less than a month.

The body of Simon Goddard, 32, was found at his Pitsea home on August 27.

A week later, father-of-one Ricky Wyatt, 34, was found dying in Little Lullaway, Pitsea.

On September 14, Clifton Robinson, 41, was found dead in Little Oxcroft, Laindon.

Charges have been brought in all three cases.

Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding Mr Clarke's death should call Basildon police on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.