A-father-of-two has been named locally as the victim of yesterday's (October 17) Battersea murder. 

Ian Tomlin, 46, was left for dead at the block his family live in on Charlotte Despard Avenue. The former boxer is said to have confronted drug dealers and told them to move on, minutes before he was beaten to death. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly after the assailants fled the area. Shocked witnesses said there was "blood everywhere" and claimed the lorry driver may also have been stabbed in the neck. 

SEE MORE: Man dead and suspects on the run after Battersea fight

Wandsworth Times:

Emergency services were called to the incident at 5.30pm

Speaking at the scene, Ian's grieving father Cecil Tomlin, 84, said his son shared his fears over people dealing drugs outside his ground floor flat two months ago. Cecil, who lives nearby, believed drug dealers killed his son. 

The great-grandfather and dad-of-seven said: "He has been afraid of them. He don't smoke and they were selling drugs outside his house. He told them 'Don't sell here, don't come here and sell drugs because I can't stand the scent of it'."

"He used to do boxing. He was a very good father, I know he was a good man, he was very good and kind to everybody. Everybody likes him. The Government needs to do something."

Wandsworth Times:

Lorna, the victim's aunt and a friend comfort brother Marvin

Another parent. who lives in the block with his children, said: “You do see people in this block and other blocks sat down and police had been notified. I have seen other drugs taken here and not cannabis.

“They have been hiding out on the stairwells and doing it and my son used to hate taking the lift and coming down the stairs you would see somebody doing the stairs.”

Local MP, Marsha de Condrova said on Twitter: "I am very sorry to learn that another life has been taken as a result of violent crime in Battersea. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s friends and family."

Police cordons remain at the scene. No arrests have been made, as police continue to appeal for witnesses as a murder investigation is launched.