Man murdered in Jourdain Road area of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, named locally as Chris Lemonius

RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock after a man was killed following a vicious attack in a Blackbird Leys alleyway.

Police were called to Jourdain Way at around 11pm on Thursday following reports of a fight involving a number of people.

When they arrived, officers found the severely injured man, named locally as Chris Lemonius, who was taken the John Radcliffe but later died. No-one had been arrested at the time of going to print.

The scene was cordoned off as police launched a murder investigation. Forensic officers spent most of Friday searching the scene for evidence.

There was also a significant police presence at one house on Jourdain Way, close to the alleyway leading to Cuddesdon Way where the incident took place.

Police described the victim as being in his late 20s. Friends later named him as Mr Lemonius, who is thought to be from the Northway area of Oxford.

In 2013, he was jailed for three-and-a-half years for inflicting grievous bodily harm following an assault in Blackbird Leys Park which left a man with a fractured eye socket.

Neighbours yesterday spoke of the commotion during the attack, amid reports a group of men set upon one person.

Screams and pleas for the attack to stop were heard during the incident, just minutes before police swarmed the area.

Speaking at the scene, one Jourdain Road resident who asked to remain anonymous said he had seen about eight men fighting in the alleyway.

One of the men, he said, had been targeted by the rest, who were kicking him.

He said: "I could hear lots of shouting and screaming. The police came and that was all I saw.

"I've lived here for years and never even had a broken window before. It's shocking that something like that could happen here."

Catherine Trevelyan, who also lives nearby, said: "I heard glass breaking, screaming and shouting. There were names being called.

"Then I heard someone shout 'No, don't do that', and then it went quiet. A man then came out of the alley on his phone.

"The police were here in minutes. There were about three police cars.
"I am shocked. Nothing like that happens around here. I have lived here forty plus years and it's a nice quiet area."

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said that they were first called to the incident at 11.14pm on Thursday and that two rapid response vehicles were sent along with an ambulance crew.

Police were already on the scene and the man was then taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance in a 'life-threatening condition,' but later died.

Tributes began to appear later in the morning, including one by nearby Druce Way resident Estelle Bishop who was so moved by the death left flowers at the scene even though she did not know the victim.

The 47-year old said: "I am just shocked. I'm speechless about what happened.

"I left flowers just to show to people and to the family that there is someone thinking of them today, and caring for their sad boy that they have lost."

Oxford City Councillor Linda Smith (above) had planned to canvass for the Labour party in the area but found police swarming their meeting point on arrival.

She said: "The news that someone was killed is really shocking and tragic. I went door knocking shortly afterwards, as I'd planned to do for a while, and residents were really shocked by this kind of violence happening on their doorstep."

Thames Valley Police has now launched a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Senior investigating officer DCI Ailsa Kent, of the major crime unit, said: "We have launched a murder investigation and are actively pursuing many lines of enquiry.

"We are appealing for the public’s help and would advise anyone who may have information that could relate to this serious incident to come forward.

"As a result of the incident you will see an increased police presence in the area whilst our investigation is ongoing and also to provide reassurance to members of the public."

Five men have been asrrested in connection with murder investigation.

Anybody with information should contact police on 101.