Basildon stabbing: 13-year-old girl among 5 arrested over Darren Kelly murder

Four teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl, are among five people who have been arrested in connection with the murder of 42-year-old Darren Kelly in Basildon. Kelly was found in the street with serious stab wounds after what is believed to be a confrontation with youths on 20 October.

Kelly, 42, from Voysey Gardens, Basildon, was treated by paramedics and the crew of an air ambulance before being taken to Basildon Hospital where he died from his injuries. A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the provisional cause of death was multiple stab wounds and blood loss.

Local Carole Crisp, 56, told the BBC: "He managed to get to our block and was just randomly pressing the buzzers for help. When I answered, he said: 'Help me I've been stabbed'.

"I rushed down with the woman who lives below me, who is a paramedic. He was covered in blood and there was a trail of blood along the street. He had been stabbed in the side and arm. I cut his clothes off while she tried to treat him."

Five people − a 13-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man, plus a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy − have now been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "I would appeal for anyone who saw the attack to contact my team. This happened in a residential area, so people would have been about. If you know who is responsible, please contact me, or you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers."

Any witnesses or anyone with information about events leading to the murder should contact detectives at Essex Police on 101, send an email to scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.