A father threw himself on top of his son to shield him from an onslaught of knives and bats from a gang of thugs who eventually killed him.

Luke Fitzpatrick, 25, a roofer, from north London, was murdered after he was dragged out of his local pub by a "pack of wolves".

Family and friends told how Fitzpatrick's father, Bernard, threw himself on top of his son in desperate bid to save his son.

Ricci Whiteside, 25, Fitzpatrick's friend who was with him all even told the Evening Standard: "There was an argument in the shop opposite the pub at half-time. Luke wasn't anything to do with it, but we all heard that something had gone on.

"A group of black guys arrived at the door of the pub with bats and knives and they were looking for someone who had been outside the shop earlier.

"People were throwing chairs at the door to try and stop them from coming in.

"There was a lot of confusion. They got Luke and dragged him outside. They were pulling him up the road.

"His dad was running after them. But by the time he got to Luke he was already on the floor. Bernie threw himself on top of Luke. He was trying to protect him, but it was too late."

Tess Fitzpatrick, Bernard Fitzpatrick's sister, said: "The men who came for Luke were like a pack of wolves. My brother ran after them as they were dragging Luke up the street.

"He covered him with his body, but they had already stabbed Luke all over."

Bernard is believed to have been stabbed four times and remains in hospital suffering internal injuries after a knife punctured his liver.