A DEVASTATED family is mourning the death of a “golden-hearted” son and father who was stabbed to death just yards from his childhood home.

Kirpal Sanghera was left for dead in the middle of Radcliffe Road, Southampton, following a knife attack.

Witnesses say the father-of-two, known locally as ‘Budd’, was stabbed “multiple” times.

Paramedics attempted to treat the 39-year-old at the scene following the incident on Monday night, but he later died in hospital of his injuries.

Police subsequently launched a murder investigation and a 42-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He remained in custody as the Daily Echo went to press.

Mr Sanghera’s youngest brother, Sonie, described him as his “best friend”.

He told the Daily Echo last night: “We were together all of the time.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Sister Jagpal Dosanjh, also paid tribute to Mr Sanghera, known to the family as ‘Pal’.

She said: “He was my favourite brother.

“He was like a father figure to me.

“He had a heart of gold and he was my idol.

“He was the best brother you could get. He was loving, caring and always there.”

Mr Sanghera was born and raised in Southampton, growing up on Radcliffe Road.

He attended St Mary’s Primary School before moving to Bellemoor Secondary School - now Upper Shirley High School - and later City College.

Courier Mr Sanghera had two sons with long-term partner, Kirsty Hopkinson.

Paying tribute to her college sweetheart, she said: “I am heartbroken by this and I don’t have it in me to express what I’m feeling.

“He loved his kids and would do anything for them.”

According to family members, Mr Sanghera had been out with friends when he was attacked shortly before midnight on Monday.

Shocked residents in Radcliffe Road described waking up to “screaming” and “shouting” moments before the attack.

One resident, who lives yards from the scene, said he could hear the commotion from his bedroom window.

Marc Piper, 43, said: “I’ve never heard anything like it in my life.

“I heard the stabbing - it was the worst noise I’ve ever heard.”

Another Radcliffe Road resident, Naomi Sullivan, added: “I could hear screaming and shouting and at first I thought it was my son.

“About 15 minutes later I saw a man in the middle of the road with paramedics over him.

“Someone told me it was Budd.

“I knew him from school but I didn’t associate with him after that.”

Following Mr Sanghera’s death, police cordoned off the junction in three directions.

A tent was set up while forensic teams carried out their work throughout yesterday morning.

Police and detectives also swept the area, going door-to-door to speak to residents, as well as searching nearby bushes and bins.

Meanwhile, officers conducted a manhunt, with armed officers smashing down a door to a flat just minutes away from the scene, in Cranbury Avenue.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the raid was part of their investigation into the stabbing.

One witness to the raid, Richard Hurren, said: “I was going out for a cigarette when police arrived.

“They had three armed units and dog unit in attendance.

“They knocked for occupants of the flat but when they didn’t answer they used their ‘red key’ to smash it open.

“Officers were in there for quite a while but they didn’t bring anyone out.”