City brothers charged over pleasure boat murder

Father-of-three Nicky Reed asked three men to leave his vessel, the Millennium of Peace, after problems with another passenger. But an argument broke out in which Mr Reed was kicked and punched and suffered a blow to the head.

The captain, who was on his last night before he retired, collapsed from a suspected heart attack and died later in hospital.

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Andrew Liddard, 21, of Harlow, Essex, and his brother Christopher, 26, of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, both bank workers, were appearing today at Thames magistrates court. They are charged with murder and affray.

Mr Reed, 67, who was known as the " Commodore Skipper", had worked on Thames cruise boats for more than 40 years. Today the owners of the Millennium of Peace paid tribute to the "loved waterman" whose death had "shocked everyone working on the river".

Rita Beckwith, City Cruises managing director, said: "We were deeply upset to hear the news. We're absolutely all still in shock. Nicky was our longest-serving member of staff.

"He was well-known to everyone on the Thames and a real larger-than-life character. He spent his whole life on the Thames. He grew up on the boats and was a real waterman."

Speaking while on holiday in Spain, she said: "We have only heard indirectly about the details of what happened.

"There were other staff members around at the time of the incident and they are assisting the police. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time."

Mr Reed, of Barking, had been working for City Cruises for more than 20 years.

The Millennium of Peace was set to depart from Tower Pier on a scheduled trip to Greenwich at about 8pm on Saturday when trouble started. A group of doctors, moored on a nearby boat, gave Mr Reed, from Barking, emergency first aid at the scene.

He was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he died.

Mrs Beckwith and her husband, Gary, founded the company in 1985 with their first vessel, The King, with the proceeds from a floating cash-and-carry business they used to own on the Thames.

The company now has more than 150 employees with its fleet of red and white liners running tours between Westminster and Greenwich, taking in sights such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

City Cruises services were suspended yesterday as a mark of respect. Tower Pier was closed to all river traffic.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 4142, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.