Lakeside shopping centre stabbing: Two more people arrested

Michael Ugwa was an inspiration to his three children, his mother said

Police investigating the death of a father-of-three at a shopping centre have arrested two more people.

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

The force said a 22-year-old man from Ilford, London, was being questioned on suspicion of murder and possession of Class A drugs.

A Croydon woman aged 54 was in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Essex Police said both had been arrested in Chiswick, west London.

Officers charged and remanded two other people in custody on Tuesday.

Brandon Lutchmunsing, 19, of Grafton Road, Dagenham, east London, who will appear before Basildon Crown Court on Friday, was charged with murder and affray.

Shannon Weston, 20, of Canewdon, Essex, who was charged with assisting an offender, is due to appear before the same court.

'Hearts shattered'

Mr Ugwa's mother described her son as "special to a great many people" and said the family's "day has suddenly turned to night, our light to darkness and our hearts are indescribably and irreversibly shattered".

In a statement she said: "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."

Det Ch Insp Ashley Howard said: "We still believe this attack was directed towards the victim and that the incident poses no ongoing threat to people shopping, eating, and socialising at Lakeside."

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