Party attack death 'devastating'

The wife of a father of two who died after an attack at a party hosted by smartphone company BlackBerry says his death is "completely and utterly devastating".

Singer Jessie J, who performed at the BlackBerry-sponsored party, says she is "lost for words" at the news of a fatality resulting from a stabbing at the event.

Phillip Sherriff, 37, died in hospital this morning after a four-day battle to save his life.

Her full statement reads:

"I am lost for words. All I can say is my thoughts, love and respects are with the family and children of the man who attended the blackberry gig last week who sadly lost his life this morning. So sad..."

A father of two who suffered horrific injuries in a bottle attack at a celebrity-packed party held by BlackBerry died this morning, police said.

Phillip Sherriff, 37, was fatally wounded at Pulse nightclub in central London following a performance by Brit award-winning singer Jessie J.

Company director Ashley Charles, 25, was remanded in custody yesterday, charged over the attack which police are now investigating as murder.

Mr Sherriff, a married telecommunications professional from Preston, Lancashire, was rushed to the Royal London Hospital after suffering a neck injury at the club in Southwark on Tuesday night.

Medics battling to save his life were later forced to operate on his skull to remove pressure from an injury to his brain.

But the wounded man - who remained in a critical condition - died this morning.

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a bottle attack at a party thrown by smartphone company BlackBerry. 25-year-old Ashley Charles of Nevanthon Road in Leicester will appear before Magistrates tomorrow.

A 37-year-old man remains in a critical condition after the incident at Pulse nightclub, in Southwark, central London.

BlackBerry said in a statement: "A serious incident occurred at our BlackBerry event. Our first concern is the wellbeing of the injured guest.

"We are doing all we can to assist police with their inquiries and are unable to provide further comment at this time."

Channel 4 News's technology journalist Benjamin Cohen was at the Blackberry event where a man was reportedly stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle.

He tweeted:

Channel 4 News' technology journalist Benjamin Cohen was at the event and said hundreds of revellers were kept inside the club while police investigated the incident.

Cohen told The Daily Telegraph:

According to The Telegraph, witnesses said there was a "stampede" for the cloakroom after Jessie J finished performing at 11.40pm.

A dispute broke out and a man was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle.

They reported seeing a "huge" amount of blood.