A brick-wielding maniac bludgeoned a hardworking father-of-two to death in broad daylight as he made his way to work.

Nepalese Umess Chaudhari, 41, was attacked just yards from his family home in Dennett Road, Broad Green, at 7am on Thursday.

Mr Chaudhari, who worked at Tesco in Addiscombe, died of severe head injuries after being beaten repeatedly with a brick found in the street in the horrific unprovoked attack.

His wife Rekha, 38, witnessed the aftermath of the attack and ran to cradle him.

An 18-year-old youth, believed to be a failed Afghan asylum seeker, was detained at the scene by a neighbour and sectioned by police under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Chaudhari had only recently been reunited with his family after living and working in Croydon for nine years.

Neighbours said he was “liked by everyone” and was a pillar of the tiny Nepalese community.

The brutal assault shocked the area prompting the borough commander Croydon, Adrian Roberts, to reassure the public.

He said: “As borough commander of police in Croydon I would like to reassure everyone living, working and visiting the borough that while the early details of this tragic incident are horrific, thankfully incidents like this are rare and I hope that some reassurance can be gained from the fact my officers arrested a suspect immediately, and that suspect has been sectioned under the mental health act.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Chaudhari who tragically lost his fight for life.”

Michael Krzak, 27, tackled the suspect after seeing the chilling attack take place.

He said: “I grabbed him and put him in a headlock.

“It was just instinct. It was the right thing to do.”

One witness said the attacker did not stop hitting Mr Chaudhari in the head even when she screamed at him to stop.

She said: “I went outside and saw one man on top of another.

“He was pinning him down and hitting him with a brick.

“I shouted ‘Stop it, you’re going to kill him’ but he made no reaction.

“He kept hitting him repeatedly. He acted like I was not there.”

Detective Inspector Bob Campany, investigating, said: “I would particularly like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any of the victim and suspects movements immediately prior to the assault taking place.”

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4005 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reunited family devastated by tragedy.

Murdered father-of-two Umess Chaudhari was “overjoyed” when his family came to the UK having spent nine years apart.

He was reunited with his wife Rekha, 38, daughter Priyanka, 14, and son Rakesh, 18, about nine months ago after years of trying to get them a visa.

Speaking at their family home in Dennett Road, just a few yards from where he was brutally murdered as he walked to work, Rakesh said they had all been delighted when they arrived.

The student, who is doing an accounting course at the London School of Business and Finance, said: “He was really happy when we got over here.

“The people at his work said when he got the news he was overjoyed.”

Mr Chaudhari, 41, had previously had a visa application for his family refused but this time had been successful.

He worked at Addiscombe Tesco to support his family and any spare time he had he spent with his family.

Rakesh said: “He worked hard. He was a really good man. He had no enemies and did not fight with anyone.

“He just wanted to love his family, live his life in peace and wanted everyone to be happy.

“He was very friendly to all and welcomed people into his home. He was a humble and nice person who was liked by everybody.”

Jim Jervier, store manager at Addiscombe Tesco, said: “We are extremely saddened by this tragic event. Umess was so popular with our customers, was always ready with a smile and will be sorely missed by all of his fellow team.”

Family friend Sabita Adhikari, a fellow Nepali, was welcomed by Mr Chaudhari when she arrived from Nepal and often visited the family.

She said: “He was a very loving and friendly family man.

“He never argued with anyone. He loved his family very much.”