Tributes paid to ‘jolly, cheerful, caring’ man stabbed to death in east London

Tributes have been paid to a “jolly, cheerful, caring” man who was stabbed to death in east London.

Officers were called at 3.38pm on Wednesday to reports of a fight in Rushmore Road, Clapton, where they found Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, with stab wound injuries.

Barnett’s sister, Simone, 45, from Hackney, told the PA news agency that her brother “never took nothing too seriously, he laughed everything off”.

She added: “He comes around here [Clapton] all the time, everyone knew my brother – young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. Everybody is family, he’s just that character.”

His friends said Barnett lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007 and used a mobility scooter.

One note left on a bunch of flowers at the scene read: “Jade, I have no words, we are all so shocked and numb, we cannot believe you are gone. Fly high Jade, we will never forget you.”

James Cook, 65, who runs the nearby Pedro youth club, said Barnett “grew up in the club, he was a friendly young man. He wasn’t one to make trouble, he was passive”.

Cook said: “I’m scared for the people in the area. The police aren’t in the area, we’ve got people struggling, people are frightened in their own communities. Kids will tell me the police can’t do nothing.”

A local person, who only wanted to be called Jacquie, said Barnett was “going to be missed by everybody”.

The 59-year-old said: “I’ve lived here all my life, his family brought him up amazingly, they brought him out of a dark place after his accident. He was just an angel really. He always had a big smile, he was always positive.”

Barnett was treated by London ambulance service paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. His family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Two men, aged 28 and 21, were arrested near the scene of the fight on suspicion of murder and remain in custody at an east London police station.

Metropolitan police inquiries are trying to establish the full facts of the incident.

DCS James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “My thoughts are with Jade’s loved ones as they try to come to terms with this horrific incident.

“I know the attack of a disabled man who was well known in the area will greatly concern residents. We are continuing to keep an open mind as we explore possible motives. I urge anyone who feels unsafe or has any concerns to contact us.

“Our investigation into Jade’s death is still in the early stages and my colleagues from the specialist crime team are working hard to establish the circumstances of what happened yesterday afternoon.”

Conway added: “If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forward and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously.

“A number of streets have been cordoned off and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton.

“The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.”