Three people appeared in court on Friday after being charged with the murder of a Harwich man who was assaulted last weekend.

Michael Beckwith, 44, suffered serious head injuries in the incident in the Barrack Lane area of the town last Sunday. He was taken to hospital, where he died on Tuesday.

Police were called to reports that a man had been assaulted at around 10pm on Sunday. It is believed Mr Beckwith was fatally struck with a metal object.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised Essex Police to charge two males and one woman with conspiracy to murder Mr Beckwith, of Goodlake Close, Harwich.

Scott Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt, Rebecca Ryan, 21, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, and a 17-year-old boy, from Harwich, all appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning.

They were remanded in custody and are all due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 2.

The 17-year-old boy cannot be named for legal reasons.

Earlier in the week, Mr Beckwith’s mother, Iris Beckwith, paid tribute to her son.

“Michael was only 44 when he passed away,” she said. “His passing came far too soon for a young man who just wanted to make people’s lives better.

“He will be very much missed by me and all who knew him.”

A keen fisherman and member of Harwich Angling Club, Mr Beckwith liked listening to Elvis Presley and loved classic cars. He was also an animal lover, his mother added.

Mr Beckwith was raised in the East Ham area of London and moved to Essex with his mother in 2003 following the deaths of his father and sister.

He previously worked at a poultry factory in Witham, and then at a residential home in Weeley for people with mental health problems.

His mother added: “He enjoyed what he did and I believe he’d found his vocation in making people’s lives better.

“He had been working at the home for six years before he passed away and I’ve received many kind words from his work colleagues, which make me realise how well thought of he was.”