TWO men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a beloved dad.

Murdoch Brown, 31, was stabbed to death in Buffett Way, Colchester, in May.

Earlier this week, officers made a series of arrests.

Toyn Williams, 27, of Winchester Road, Hale End in east London, and Jay Dice, 32, of Mayville, Leytonstone, were charged on Tuesday night with Mr Brown's murder

They are both also charged with the attempted murder of another man - Robert Brown - and being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug on the same day Mr Brown was killed.

The pair appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court during separate hearings yesterday as Dice's solicitor was delayed in traffic.

Both men wore hooded Nike jumpers and spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth and that they understood proceedings.

Magistrates explained their powers were insufficient to deal with the charges nor did they have capacity to hear any bail applications.

They were remanded until Thursday when they will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Members of their family - and Mr Brown's loved ones who were flanked by murder detectives - filled the public gallery during the proceedings.

A 17-year-old boy from Edmonton who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder earlier this week.

He has been released on bail until Friday November 15.

A 27-year-old woman from Colchester was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

She has been released under investigation.

A 30-year-old woman, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in May and released under investigation.

She has been further arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and released under investigation.

Mr Brown was a father of two and also close to his partner's other children.

In the hours after this death, Mr Brown said: "Murdoch was a much-loved partner, son, brother and uncle.

“He was a devoted father to his children and his family are heartbroken.

“He will be very much missed by his family and friends.”