Tributes have been paid to a 20-year-old “hero” who was stabbed to death in west London, as a man was charged with his murder and the attempted murder of an elderly woman.

Ali Abucar Ali was described as “the most caring, humble, funniest young man”, as more than £40,000 was donated to a fund-raising page set up in his honour.

Mr Ali and Betty Walsh, who is in her 80s, were both stabbed in a street in Brentford shortly before 8pm on Friday.

She remains in hospital in a serious condition but her injuries are not life-threatening, police have said.

Norris Henry, 37, from Brentford, has been charged with murder and attempted murder and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Paul Moore, who lives near to the scene of the attack, told Sky News he helped Ms Walsh after she was stabbed.

He said the retired barmaid, a mother-of-seven who is originally from Ireland, had been “walking home from her friend’s house” when she was “stabbed in the back”.

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He added: “She is a lovely woman. I’ve known her more than 30 years. Everyone knows her.”

Mr Ali was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday evening.

Flowers and messages paying tribute to him have been left at Albany Parade in Brentford where the stabbings took place.

One tribute read: “RIP. You put your life first to save another.”

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page honouring Mr Ali said: “We lost a dear brother, the most caring, humble, funniest young man. (I) don’t have a single memory of him without seeing his amazing smile.”

Among the comments paying tribute to Mr Ali, one read: “You are a hero.”

Anyone with information about the stabbings is asked to contact police.

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