A BRAVE dad was killed defending his niece from a knifeman in a “brutal, shocking and wholly unnecessary attack” in front of horrified shoppers, a court heard.

Daniel Mitchell-Monroe, 37, from Vange, was stabbed three times outside Iceland in Market Pavement, Basildon, after stepping in to confront Joram Bakumanya on June 28.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard he punched the unemployed 22-year-old, of no fixed address, after he followed his niece Armani Lewis through town, threatening to “slap” her and demanding “respect”.

Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said the martial arts enthusiast and chef punched Bakumanya but was quickly overpowered.

He said: “Witnesses said the defendant punched Mr Mitchell-Munroe and got the better of him. At one point he was on top of Mr Mitchell-Monroe.

“What he then did was this- from around his waist he produced a large kitchen knife.

“With that knife, in front of those witnesses and in front of Miss Lewis, he stabbed Mr Mitchell-Monroe three times.

“It was a brutal, shocking and wholly unnecessary attack.”

Mr Mitchell-Monroe was stabbed in the left arm, stomach and chest, rupturing the aorta.

Mr Jackson said: “That caused massive damage and immediate bleeding. The stab blow that caused that dreadful and life extinguishing wound was delivered by this defendant with severe force.

“He dispatched Mr Mitchel-Monroe with considerable efficiency. Leaving him to die on the pavement, he ran off.”

Mr Mitchell-Monroe and Miss Lewis came to town together but she went shopping while he went to the barbers.

She phoned her uncle for help after refusing to give Bakunanya her number, prompting a volley of vile abuse.

Bakumanya admits killing Mr Mitchell-Monroe but denies murder, on the grounds of self-defence. He dismissed his legal team before the trial and is now representing himself.

He was allowed to sit outside the dock, dressed in green jogging bottoms, a white t-shirt and plimsolls.

The trial continues.