Celebrity bodyguard Ricky Hayden killed as he confronted moped thieves

Two men have been arrested over the death of a man stabbed and killed as he and his father tried to stop a gang of men stealing a moped outside their home.

Council worker Ricky Hayden, 27, who had also worked as a celebrity bodyguard and whose clients included Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, died in the attack in Chadwell Heath, east London.

His father, Paul, 46, also suffered knife wounds but his injuries are not life threatening.

Police said the father and son confronted the group of up to four men as they tried to steal the moped in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Haydens were both taken to hospital. Ricky Hayden was pronounced dead soon after.

Image Caption:Mr Hayden worked as a bodyguard and council worker

Neighbour Bella Tasci, 34, spoke of hearing cries of "get off him" as the pair confronted the men, who fled on two motorbikes, without the moped. 

The family dog, Roxy, was also slashed in the attack.

Ms Tasci, who has lived in Gibbfield Close for seven years, said the Haydens were a "lovely" family. She said Ricky Hayden had built the bike himself with his younger brother Perry.

Havering Council has paid tribute to Mr Hayden, who worked as a member of the highways maintenance team. 

Andrew Blake-Herbert, chief executive of the council, said: "Everyone at the council is devastated by the news of this horrendous, senseless crime.

"Ricky was a well-liked team member and of course we will be offering support to his friends and colleagues in the Council who will be feeling this loss very deeply."

Image Caption:Flowers at the scene where Ricky Hayden was fatally stabbed 

Scotland Yard detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward. 

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Packer from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "Gibbfield Close is a residential street and while there would not have been many people out and about at the time of this attack, it was a warm night and people would have had their windows open.

"I am appealing to anyone who heard, or subsequently saw, anything suspicious to come forward and speak to police."

Any witnesses and anyone with any information are asked to call police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Celebrity bodyguard Ricky Hayden killed as he confronted moped thieves

Two men have been arrested over the death of a man stabbed and killed as he and his father tried to stop a gang of men stealing a moped outside their home.

Council worker Ricky Hayden, 27, who had also worked as a celebrity bodyguard and whose clients included Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, died in the attack in Chadwell Heath, east London.

His father, Paul, 46, also suffered knife wounds but his injuries are not life threatening.

Police said the father and son confronted the group of up to four men as they tried to steal the moped in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Haydens were both taken to hospital. Ricky Hayden was pronounced dead soon after.

Image Caption:Mr Hayden worked as a bodyguard and council worker

Neighbour Bella Tasci, 34, spoke of hearing cries of "get off him" as the pair confronted the men, who fled on two motorbikes, without the moped. 

The family dog, Roxy, was also slashed in the attack.

Ms Tasci, who has lived in Gibbfield Close for seven years, said the Haydens were a "lovely" family. She said Ricky Hayden had built the bike himself with his younger brother Perry.

Havering Council has paid tribute to Mr Hayden, who worked as a member of the highways maintenance team. 

Andrew Blake-Herbert, chief executive of the council, said: "Everyone at the council is devastated by the news of this horrendous, senseless crime.

"Ricky was a well-liked team member and of course we will be offering support to his friends and colleagues in the Council who will be feeling this loss very deeply."

Image Caption:Flowers at the scene where Ricky Hayden was fatally stabbed 

Scotland Yard detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward. 

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Packer from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "Gibbfield Close is a residential street and while there would not have been many people out and about at the time of this attack, it was a warm night and people would have had their windows open.

"I am appealing to anyone who heard, or subsequently saw, anything suspicious to come forward and speak to police."

Any witnesses and anyone with any information are asked to call police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Appeal over driver shooting paintballs at people in north London

A man who fired a paintball gun at pedestrians while driving down streets in north London is being sought by police.

The man, described as white and in his 40s, was seen driving a white Mercedes 350GLE on false number plates, the Metropolitan Police said.

So far, 18 people - men and women - have contacted the force to say they had been fired on with paintballs and suffered bruising as a result. 

The first incident took place around 9pm on Friday, 5 August on Camden Road.

The suspect then continued the paintball blasts as he drove through Archway, Holloway, Islington, Clerkenwell and Canonbury. 

His last reported assaults occurred at around 11pm the same night. 

It is believed the suspect may have been in the company of one or more people who were driving a red Ford Focus.

The Mercedes has since been seen parked in the N1 and EC1 areas of Islington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Alex Simmons at Islington on 020 7421 0262 or via 101.

Appeal over driver shooting paintballs at people in north London

A man who fired a paintball gun at pedestrians while driving down streets in north London is being sought by police.

The man, described as white and in his 40s, was seen driving a white Mercedes 350GLE on false number plates, the Metropolitan Police said.

So far, 18 people - men and women - have contacted the force to say they had been fired on with paintballs and suffered bruising as a result. 

The first incident took place around 9pm on Friday, 5 August on Camden Road.

The suspect then continued the paintball blasts as he drove through Archway, Holloway, Islington, Clerkenwell and Canonbury. 

His last reported assaults occurred at around 11pm the same night. 

It is believed the suspect may have been in the company of one or more people who were driving a red Ford Focus.

The Mercedes has since been seen parked in the N1 and EC1 areas of Islington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Alex Simmons at Islington on 020 7421 0262 or via 101.

Convicted murderer Darren Jackson absconds from Sudbury Prison

A man serving a life sentence for murdering a woman by stamping on her stomach is on the run after absconding from prison.

Darren Jackson was convicted and jailed following a trial at Manchester Crown Court in March 1986.

He had been released and later recalled to prison and was serving part of his sentence at Sudbury Prison in Derbyshire. He absconded on Tuesday morning.

Jackson was 21 years old when he killed mother-of-three Gill Ellis in December 1984, according to a report by the Lancashire Telegraph.

The 29-year-old was on her way home in Burnley when muggers stole her handbag as she walked across Hargher Clough recreation ground in Clay Street.

As she lay unconscious on the ground, Jackson stamped her to death, the trial heard.

The 51-year-old is described as white, 6ft 4in tall and slim. He has short cropped hair and a tribal tattoo on his wrist.

Derbyshire Police said his last known address is in Oldham.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

HS2 rail link is £7bn over budget and facing delay say MPs

The High Speed 2 rail link is running billions over budget and likely to be delayed, MPs have warned.

They say ministers must set out a realistic timetable for delivering the project, currently expected to cost more than £55bn.

The first phase of HS2, between London and the West Midlands, is due to open in December 2026.

But minister and bosses at HS2 Ltd, the company behind the project, are now looking at extending this by a year, MPs said.

Costs of a second phase taking the line to Manchester and Leeds were "volatile" and currently £7bn over budget, the report also found.

Costs of a second phase taking the line to Manchester and Leeds were "volatile" and currently £7bn over budget, the report also found.

Appeal over driver shooting paintballs at people in north London

A man who fired a paintball gun at pedestrians while driving down streets in north London is being sought by police.

The man, described as white and in his 40s, was seen driving a white Mercedes 350GLE on false number plates, the Metropolitan Police said.

So far, 18 people - men and women - have contacted the force to say they had been fired on with paintballs and suffered bruising as a result. 

The first incident took place around 9pm on Friday, 5 August on Camden Road.

The suspect then continued the paintball blasts as he drove through Archway, Holloway, Islington, Clerkenwell and Canonbury. 

His last reported assaults occurred at around 11pm the same night. 

It is believed the suspect may have been in the company of one or more people who were driving a red Ford Focus.

The Mercedes has since been seen parked in the N1 and EC1 areas of Islington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Alex Simmons at Islington on 020 7421 0262 or via 101.