Stabbing victim's family tribute

Liam Attwell was stabbed on Thursday afternoon

The friends and family of a man who was stabbed in the heart as he went to the aid of a mugging victim have said he would always stand up for others.

Liam Attwell, 25, went to the help of a teenager, threatened by a gang trying to steal his mobile phone.

The incident in Canon's Marsh, Bristol, is being treated as a murder.

Mr Attwell's brother, Demian, said Liam's death on Sunday night, three days after the attack, had left the family devastated.

He was always willing to stand up for the underdog and help

Luke Hall, friend

He said: "I can't describe how I feel and I can't believe my brother has been taken away like that.

"Liam was a proud Bristolian who loved his home town, and was unwilling to walk the streets in fear of attack.

"We know that Liam would never walk by if someone was being attacked and would always try to help.

"It was something he felt very strongly about."

Mr Attwell, a chef from the Southville area of the city, lived with his fiancée Jess.

The couple planned to marry in May.

Avon and Somerset police are looking for a group of five black youths and one white youth, in their late teens, who were all on bicycles.

No tolerance

Detective Superintendent Geoff Anderson, who is leading the investigation, said: "Liam bravely intervened to help a stranger in trouble and has tragically died as a result."

He added it was not the first time Liam had helped others in difficulty as he had been assaulted earlier this year going to the help of a friend.

That friend, Luke Hall, said: "He was always willing to stand up for the underdog and help."

Liam's mother Roisin, issued a statement through police in which she praised her son's bravery.

She said: "We are all very proud of Liam. He never tolerated bullies.

"He was always one to stop an incident if he saw it and we do not regret his bravery last Thursday."