Three people who were charged in connection with the murder of a father-of-two who was stabbed to death in High Wycombe town centre appeared at court today.

Lee Gillespie, who was described as homeless, was allegedly murdered on the night of August 22 near All Saints Church after being chased through Church Street with a kitchen knife, a court heard today.

Murder squad detectives were called in after the body of the 26-year-old was found shortly before 9pm.

The incident was described as a “targeted attack” at Reading Crown Court this afternoon.

Martin Stanislaus was one of three people arrested and charged with murder and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

The 37-year-old, from Delta Grove, Ealing, west London, was accused of chasing the victim through Church Street in High Wycombe with a kitchen knife and stabbing him to death.

Jodie Willis, aged 36 years, of The Mead, Beaconsfield, was also charged with murder and with perverting the course of justice after it was alleged she killed the man before hiding vital evidence from police.

Both Willis and Stanislaus denied all charges when they appeared before Judge John Reddihough.

Leigh Burns, aged 37 years, of Willcott Road, Ealing, west London, was also charged with murder and perverting the course of justice but did not enter a plea today.

Stanislaus did not enter a plea to a third count of perverting the course of justice.

The defendants were due to be arraigned again on the charges on December 22 and the case was due to begin on January 25 and last for three weeks.