Vigil held for two men stabbed to death in Leicester

Tributes were left at the Clock Tower for both men

A vigil has been held for two men who were stabbed to death in Leicester.

Junior Osborne, 50, died after he was attacked in Narborough Road on 27 September and Sidney Palmer, 59, was fatally injured in Conduit Street on Saturday.

Leicestershire Police has launched two murder investigations and made a number of arrests following the stabbings.

Mourners gathered by the city's Clock Tower earlier to pay tribute to both men.

John Palmer said he loved his brother Sid

Mr Palmer's brother, John Palmer, said his family had been left devastated by his death.

"We are big-time shocked. Sid was an ex-doorman who protected people," he said.

"He loved getting on with life. He shouldn't be dead.

"I loved him - he was my brother."

Junior Osborne, 50, was described as a beloved brother, dad and husband

Mr Osborne's wife also attended the vigil and paid an emotional tribute to to her husband.

One woman, who lives in Narborough Road, close to where Mr Osborne died, described the fatal stabbings as "heartbreaking" and said she was concerned about levels of knife crime.

After the vigil, Supt Paul Allen, of Leicestershire Police, said: "We understand that these two incidents will have caused significant concerns to the respective local communities and people living across Leicester.

"Tackling knife crime remains a priority for the force and we're continuing to work closely with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and partner agencies to share information and raise awareness of the issue.

"We hope that by highlighting the consequences and offering practical solutions and advice, together we can prevent people from picking up a knife in the first place."

He urged anyone with information about either stabbing to contact detectives.

Mourners paid their respects at the Clock Tower

Four teenagers, 18-year-old James Williams, a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with Mr Osborne's murder, and are being held on remand.

A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday in connection with Mr Osborne's death and was later released on bail.

A 24-year-old man, from West Yorkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr Palmer and is being questioned by police.

Michael Berlin, 31, of Great Central Way, Leicester, and Nathan Pritchard, 29, of Conduit Street, Leicester, have both been charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm in connection with Mr Palmer's death.

A 34-year-old man arrested, on Wednesday, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm remains in police custody.