'WONDERFUL MAN'
Tributes to ‘gentle & caring’ husband, 53, killed after bumping into ‘feral’ youths outside Asda as he shopped at B&Q
RELATIVES have paid tribute to a "gentle and caring" husband who was last night killed after bumping into a gang of “feral” youths outside a supermarket.
Software engineer Ian Kirwan, 53, was ";rounded upon" after knocking into the group outside Asda last night, it was claimed.
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He was fatally wounded and died at the scene in Redditch, Worcs.
Today relatives sobbed as they remembered a "kind, loving and gentle" man who had hopes of becoming a father.
A family member, who asked not to be named, told The Sun: “Ian was the most fantastic, wonderful guy. He was caring, considerate - he would go out of his way for anyone.
“His life has been lost due to some idiots with a knife. If anything good comes from this, it is young people putting down their knives.
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“When young people carry knives, some thing senseless like this happens.
“Due to a senseless act by these individuals, a loving, caring husband has been taken away from his family.
“He was a wonderful, intelligent, amazing, thoughtful, caring and supportive man. He was the most amazing person.
“He’s the kind of person who goes out and gives hitchhikers walking in the rain a lift. He’s the kind of person who at Christmas stopped to help a fox who been injured in the road.
“Ian would also go the extra mile. He is a loss due to a mindless act by a group of individuals.
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“There needs to be an amnesty on knives.”
Following a search of the area last night, six young men were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.
Today, two further youths have also been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Cops believe three further lads were involved in the incident and are appealing to them to contact police.
A supermarket worker said the man was attacked "for no other reason" than he bumped into them.
They said: "It was apparently a complete accident. He just bumped into them by mistake.
"They just rounded upon him and he fell to the ground.
"About 10 lads then ran off through the car park. People came over to try and help him but he was bleeding badly.
"The paramedics were here quickly but there was nothing they could do.
"I just can't make sense of it. He was just popping in to do some shopping and he lost his life. It is tragic."
A family friend said the victim had gone to get some items from B&Q, next to Asda, when he was set upon.
He said: “He was the nicest guy you could wish to meet. He was very quiet and had been through some health problems. He was a good bloke - sound.
“I can’t believe it. He had a partner, she’ll be completely devastated.
“It is absolutely tragic. The people who have done this might get 15 years but this family will be shattered for life.”
The supermarket and adjoining B&Q were today closed as police taped off the entire car park to comb for clues.
They were abusing anyone in their way. They were feral kids in tracksuits
Locals said a nearby house was cordoned off because the fleeing attackers had flung a knife into a front garden.
It is understood at least three of the youths - whose ages have not been released - were arrested at Redditch train station.
One resident told how the gang were earlier seen marauding through the town centre.
They said: "I saw them about an hour before the stabbing. There were half a dozen of them, maybe more, tearing through the town giving s*** to anyone and everyone.
"They were abusing anyone in their way. They were feral kids in tracksuits. They couldn't have been more than 16 years old.
"When I came to do my shopping, I saw the ambulance. One of the workers told me what had happened.
"I just knew straight away it was the same gang I had seen."
The victim was found by paramedics in a critical condition.
Despite the best efforts of medics, he died at the scene.
Detectives were today appealing for information over the attack, which happened at around 7.20pm on Tuesday night.
A West Mercia spokesman said: “Anyone who was in the area of Asda around the time of the incident and saw anything that could help officers is asked to please call 101.
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“Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers.
"It is 100 per cent anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them at or 0800 555 11."
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