James Markham murder: Chingford father was 'hardworking and kind'

James Markham died of a stab wound to the lung

A father of three who was stabbed to death while confronting a group of youths has been described as a "man with a good heart and a good soul".

James Markham, 45, who was married, died outside his home in Chingford, north-east London, on Monday evening.

A family friend, who did not want to be named, said: "He was my friend, my neighbour. A lovely man, a worker."

Two 14-year-old boys were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder while a girl, 16, was held on Thursday.

She is being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The family friend said Mr Markham "would wake up at 5am, come back 6pm, doing the daily routine with the kids, always with the kids".

Mr Markham was treated by paramedics at the scene of the stabbing, on Churchill Terrace

"We are devastated for Jamie. He was kind, a good person, someone who will always be there for you.

"Anything that you need, he'll always be there, fixing anything that you need from the house."

Mr Markham was treated at the scene on Churchill Terrace by paramedics. A post-mortem examination found he died of a stab wound to the lung.

Det Insp John Marriott, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.

"The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with James' family who have been left devastated by their loss."

One of the boys detained on Wednesday was arrested on suspicion of murder, the other on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. All three teenagers remain in custody.