Family’s ‘hearts are broken’ as a murder victim, 51, died after being attacked in pub

The family of a man who died after being attacked in a pub days before Christmas have said their ‘hearts are broken’ by the killing.

Dave Peck, 51, was attacked inside the Lamb and Lion pub in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, just after 6.40pm on Friday (December 23).

Today, his relatives released a statement, they said: ‘Our hearts are broken. Dave is and always will be a much loved partner, father, son and brother.

‘He has been taken from his family and friends far too soon.

The victim was named as Dave Peck (pictured). His family said: ‘Our hearts are broken. Dave is and always will be a much-loved partner, father, son and brother’

Alfred Turner, 44, was arrested and charged with murder after Mr Peck died at the Lamb and Lion pub in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, just after 6.30pm on Friday (December 23)

‘While we try to come to terms with our sudden and devastating loss, we as the family ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.’

Alfred Turner, 44, was arrested and charged with murder not long after Mr Peck passed away.

He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article in public.

Police were called to the pub in the seaside town but Mr Peck was pronounced dead at the scene.

His official cause of death hasn’t been released by police yet.

Turner was charged yesterday on Christmas Day and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

A spokesman for Essex Police said yesterday: ‘A man’s been charged with murder in connection with the death of a man following an incident in a pub in Westcliff.

‘We were called to reports a man had been attacked inside the Lamb and Lion in Station Road at around 6.40pm on Friday (23 December).

‘Alfred Turner, 44, of Station Road, Westcliff, was arrested in the Pier Hill area a short time later.

‘He has now been charged with murder, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

‘He’s due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 26.

‘We are continuing to appeal for anyone who saw or heard anything, who we’ve not spoken to, to come forward.’

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, appealed for anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward.

She added: ‘My thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family in what will be a very difficult time.

‘Our investigation is in its early stages and we are still working to establish the circumstances which led up to the incident.

‘The victim was assaulted inside a busy pub at a time where there would have been lots of people around and would have seen what happened.

‘I need anyone who was at the pub and saw the incident or what led up to it to contact us.’

Anyone with information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage can contact police quoting incident 1076 of December 23.