James Markham, 45, was fatally stabbed in Chingford after confronting a group of youths
(Picture: Metropolitan Police)The wife of a man stabbed to death while defending his teenage daughter from thugs who were harassing her on Thursday said she had “lost the heart of the family”.
James Markham, 45, was attacked in the street by suspects who were said to have been “swinging metal poles” and shouting at his 17-year-old daughter.
Police have arrested two 14-year-old boys over his death in Chingford.
Tiler Mr Markham’s wife Candice was heard screaming when she found him fatally wounded outside their home in Churchill Terrace.
Mrs Markham said teenage boys had targeted their daughter, Chloe, when her husband, known as Jamie, intervened at 6.20pm on Monday.
She told the Standard: “They had metal poles, walking around with them. It’s absolutely devastating. I’ve lost the heart of the family.”
Earlier she said: “It’s just disgusting. It’s not the first time – you see them walking around and smashing bottles in the street, just doing what they like.”
Scotland Yard said a 14-year-old boy was being held on suspicion of murder while another youth, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Detective Inspector John Marriott said: “The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with James’ family.”
