A businessman has died following a seafront street attack.

Ovidiu Pop, a father-of-two living in Portslade, died in hospital on Monday morning, eight days after he was battered with a fire extinguisher in King’s Road, Brighton.

A man has already appeared in court over the attack. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is now considering whether there is enough evidence for a murder charge to be brought.

Friends and neighbours described Mr Pop, 28, as a kind, polite, hard-working man. He had a wife, Kate, a daughter of pre-school age, Laura, and a one-year-old son, Lucas.

Vas Newton, who worked for Mr Pop, told The Argus: “He was a really kind-hearted guy. He wouldn’t kill an ant.

“Everyone is really heartbroken to hear this has happened to someone like him.”

Mr Pop, a Romanian whose address was listed as Gardner Road, Portslade, had lived in Brighton and Hove for several years. In 2006, he set up his demolition and earth-moving firm, Pop’s Groundworkers.

Dawn Barnett, who represents Hangleton and Knoll on Brighton and Hove City Council, is a neighbour. She said: “They are such a nice couple, they are lovely. They are well mannered, their kids are nice. ”

Mr Pop had been on a night out with family, friends and colleagues on Saturday, August 16. He was attacked at about 5am on Sunday outside the King Of Rock shop in King’s Road. A 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

James Redmile-Gordon, of Charlwood, Horley, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’s Court on Friday.

He was remanded in custody until November 14.

A spokesman for the CPS confirmed it is now considering further charges.