Tragic man knifed to death by thieves when honouring pal who died in stabbing incident just hours earlier
Close pals - Junior Fuller and Martin Maughan - died from stab wounds in Nottingham following two attacks within 24 hours
A DOUBLE stabbing tragedy has rocked Notttingham after two friends were stabbed to death in separate incidents in less than 24 hours.
A victim, aged 38, named locally as Junior Fuller was honouring his pal Martin Maughan at a memorial party when his phone was stolen at around 4.20am this morning.
Residents said Mr Fuller chased the thieves but they knifed him three times and died from his injuries in the Sneinton area of the city, less than a day after his friend Mr Maughan died in a stabbing incident.
One resident said: "I saw a group of four or five lads setting off fireworks outside a house just before the stabbing.
"Maybe it was to do with that, I heard some of them arguing."
Mr Maughan, 27, was pronounced dead after being found with a stab wound following an altercation at around 6am yesterday in West Walk.
Police arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of attempting to murder Mr Maughan.
Writing on Facebook, Martin's mum Kathleen said: "Today I had a phone call that broke my heart in two, asking me did I hear the news that my son fell to his knees.
"I begged god for mercy not to take my Martin away, but he didn't listen he's gone where all the Angels are in that kingdom in the sky.
"Please lord watch out for my boy put your arms around my Mart hold him as tight as you can.
"The repercussions of knife crime this weekend are horrendous.
"We now have two members of the public that have died as a result of knife injuries and two families of these victims who have lost a loved one and, for the families of those responsible for this, their lives will also change forever."
A woman paid tribute to both men on Facebook saying: "What is happening to this area? RIP bozza n junior thoughts with your families so tragic and a loss that wasn't needed."
In a separate post, a man wrote: "RIP Junior, I can't believe what's happened. I've know you all my life bro, so sad. You was a true legend, I'll never forget. One love bro."
Another tribute left to Mr Maughan said: ";I will always cherish our friendship we had. You made the days a lot more memorable with your lovely kind ways."
Another read: "You were a top guy, you had the biggest heart, love you loads."
Forensic teams were seen scouring the area after Mr Maughan's death.
Neighbour Pat O'Boyle, 70, said: "My daughter rang me and said there are police cars outside and an ambulance and the yard at the back was cordoned off.
"I was not allowed to go out of the front of my house.
"It happened sometime between 5.50am and 6.45am. I was told it was a stabbing. In the 20 odd years I have been here we have never had anything like this happen."
Anyone with information on either crime to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting 174 of 10 for the first incident or 219 of 11 for the second.
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