Man charged after double stabbing in Birmingham

A 23 year old man is due before magistrates on Monday January 14th, charged with the murder of two big issue sellers on central Birmingham.

The  two men who were stabbed in Birmingham city centre on Friday 11th January 2013.

32 year old Wayne Lee Bust (pictured below left) from Birmingham and Ian Watson Gladwish (below right) also from Birmingham were both big issue sellers who based themselves in the city centre.

Officers say the attack may have been witnessed by hundreds of people.

Police say one was attacked near to the Sainsbury's store in Martineau Place just before 6pm on Friday night. The other man was found near to the Boots store on Union Street.

Officers gave first aid to the men but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Extra police have been on patrol in the area to reassure people.

A 23 year old man was arrested in New Street near the Odeon Cinema minutes after the stabbings and he is being questioned.

Detective Inspector Buck Rogers is leading the investigation into the deaths:

“We have had a fantastic response from the public so far and their information has proved vital to our investigation.

“Our enquiries continue and if there is anyone who saw something on Friday evening and hasn’t yet come forward we urge them to call us now on 101.”

All scenes have now re-opened.

Big Issue Founder and Editor-in-Chief John Bird issued the following tribute:

“Myself and everyone at The Big Issue has been deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that two of our well-liked Birmingham based vendors were stabbed to death in the city centre yesterday evening. We are struggling to make any sense of this utterly senseless attack, and our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the victims.

“This awful crime, perpetrated against two hard working, mild mannered men, only serves to illustrate the extreme vulnerability of people who live and work on the streets. Which is why we at The Big Issue are constantly striving to create opportunities which will help our vendors to get off the streets and out of harms way.

“We are truly devastated that these two individuals have been deprived of just such a future.”