Stabbing murder at restaurant planning to open for homeless on Christmas Day

Manjaros serves a fusion of African and Caribbean food and was due to feed homeless people on Christmas Day

Mazhar Ali, 41, from Stockton, Teesside, died in hospital on Christmas Day after being stabbed inside the Manjaros restaurant on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough (Cleveland Police)

A man was stabbed to death in a restaurant on Christmas Eve, scuppering the premises' plans to feed homeless people on Christmas Day.

A 20-year-old has been charged with murder after Mazhar Ali, 41, from Stockton, Teesside, died in hospital on Christmas Day after being stabbed inside the Manjaros restaurant on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

Efreeqi Mohamed Siddig, 20, from Middlesbrough, has been charged with murder and carrying an offensive weapon, Cleveland Police said

He will appear before Teesside Magistrates' Court on Boxing Day.

Mr Ali had been treated in the James Cook University Hospital and he was said to have been in a critical condition after the attack.

Manjaros serves a fusion of African and Caribbean food.

The premises will not be open for the next few days, the force said.

According to reports, customers were urgently asked to leave the restaurant midway through their meals.

Police cordoned off an alleyway behind the premises.

Additional reporting by Press Association