MKM workers' tributes to Stephen Foster

WORK friends of a man who died after he was allegedly assaulted in an east Hull street have spoken of their struggle to come to terms with his sudden death.

Stephen Foster, 53, suffered serious head injuries while on a night out on Friday.

The father-of-two was found unconscious, on Witham, by a passerby and taken to hospital, but died the next day, with his family at his bedside.

Stephen Paul Arnell, 48, of Newington Street, west Hull, has been charged with manslaughter and remanded in custody until a hearing at Hull Crown Court next week.

Mr Foster had worked at MKM Building Supplies as a plumbing and heating sales manager since the company was founded in 1996.

The site, on Stoneferry Road, closed on Saturday as soon as they heard of his death.

As they returned to work yesterday, his grieving friends said they had lost a much-loved member of "the MKM family".

Keith Eames, branch director of MKM Building Supplies and Stephen's friend of more than 30 years, said: "I am absolutely devastated, as everyone is."

Mr Eames said it had been awful for staff coming into work yesterday knowing Mr Foster was not coming back.

He added: "It has been awful coming back into work, knowing he is not here. He was only here on Friday making plans for this week and now he is gone.

"We had a big meeting this morning and we just all had our arms around each other and we were all in floods of tears."

The company has set up a book of condolence for MKM employees and customers.

The firm has also set up a collection for his two children, James, 19, and Danielle, 21.

Mr Eames said: "We are one big family here and Fossy was part of that family – and his family was part of that family.

"I am sure there will be scores of people who want to make a donation in his memory."

Mr Foster had worked in the building industry since leaving school, first in ironmongery and later, as a sales representative.

Mr Arnell has been charged with manslaughter and is due to appear at Hull Crown Court next week.

A 33-year-old man who was arrested by police in connection with the incident has been granted police bail to a date in December.