Man charged over Birmingham Big Issue murders

Wayne Lee Busst (left) and Ian Watson Gladwish (PA)

A 23-year-old man was charged last night with the murder of two Big Issue sellers who were fatally stabbed in Birmingham city centre.

Wayne Lee Busst, 32, and Ian Watson Gladwish, 31, were both killed on Friday evening in front of hundreds of people in rush hour. One of the men was found outside a branch of Sainsbury's in Martineau Place while the second was found slumped a few yards away by a branch of Boots in Union Street.

The dead men were both from the city and remained there to sell the magazine. They were popular at the charity's Birmingham office and staff were said to be deeply distressed.

Police released photographs of the two men yesterday. Detective Inspector Buck Rogers of West Midlands Police said: "We have had a fantastic response from the public so far and their information has proved vital to our investigation."

The charged man will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court today.