Man faces court on murder charge

Piotr Mikiewicz, 40, was attacked on Wednesday afternoon in Rylett Road, Shepherd’s Bush, west London, and was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died the next day.

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said Roger Buckingham, of Bentworth Road, Shepherd’s Bush, has been charged with his murder and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary at an address in Rylett Road on Wednesday.

Tributes have poured in following the death of Polish national Mr Mikiewicz, who was described as “a friend to everyone with a colourful and friendly personality” by his employer, private contractor Serco.

Director Mike Boult said: “He was a unique and special person and he will be sorely missed, but our loss is nothing compared to that of his family and friends.

“Piotr was a popular member of Serco’s close-knit environmental services team, not only because of his hard-working nature but because he was a friend to everyone with a colourful and friendly personality.

“Anyone who knew Piotr knew he was a truly good and honest person. He had a strong sense of what was right and wrong. He wasn’t just a road sweeper, he was a part of the community he worked within, genuinely caring about the residents and his ‘beat’.”

Deputy leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council Greg Smith said: “Piotr was a hard-working man who was a friendly face to all who knew him on his regular beat.”

The local authority has opened a book of condolence and has been flying the flag at Hammersmith Town Hall at half mast.

Two other men and three women who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Thursday have been bailed to return on a date in October.