Knifeman stabs ‘much-loved’ father, 40, to death in ‘road rage attack’ – as victim’s horrified four-year-old son looked on
- James Stokoe, 40, was found dead in Thornaby, near Middlesbrough, on Friday
- Mr Stokoe was ‘a wonderfully kind and gentle person’, his family have said
- A 33-year-old man will appear before magistrates today accused of his murder
James Stokoe, 40, died at the scene after being found seriously injured in a silver BMW on Trenchard Avenue at around 2.20pm on May 15
A ‘much loved’ father died after he was stabbed to death in front of his horrified four-year-old after his attacker allegedly pulled a blade from a shopping bag near Middlesborough.
James Stokoe died at the scene in Thornaby after he was found seriously injured in a silver BMW at around 2.20pm on Friday.
His attacker was said to have taken a blade from a shopping bag and repeatedly stabbed Mr Stokoe in front of his son after opening the driver’s side door.
Witnesses reportedly ran to the father’s aid while others tried to shield his young son from what had happened.
One neighbour told The Sun: ‘A lady fought so hard to try to save the man before emergency services arrived. I don’t think the community will ever forget the horrific scenes.’
Armed police surrounded a flat on Saturday in a four-hour stand off, a knife was reportedly seen in the window of a property
In a statement, Mr Stokoe’s devastated family said: ‘James was a much-loved husband, father, son and son-in-law.
‘He was a treasured friend to so many people. James was a wonderfully kind and gentle person. There are no words to express our sadness.’
A Go Fund Me page created for his family has raised more than £5,000 as of Monday morning.
Cleveland Police said the man had also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place (pictured: Thornaby, Teesside, May 15)
Neighbours rushed out of their homes to help James Stokoe before police and paramedics arrived at the scene in Thornaby on Friday afternoon
One donator said: ‘RIP James, what a kind and friendly lad. Had some great times on a Sunday playing 5-a-side. All our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.’
Officers traced a suspect to a property in Stockton-on-Tees, which was surrounded by police in a four-hour standoff.
Cleveland Police last night confirmed a 33-year-old man had been charged with murder. He will appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on today.