Man charged with four counts of murder in poison case

A man charged with four counts of murder and four counts of administering a poison is due in court.

Stephen John Port, 40, of Cooke Street, Barking, was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the deaths of four men between June last year and September this year, Scotland Yard said.

He has also been charged with four counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.

Port is due to appear in custody at Barkingside Magistrates' Court today.

The charges relate to the deaths of Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, from Barnet, who was pronounced dead on Cooke Street on June 19 2014; Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret's Church, North Street in Barking, on August 28 2014; Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, whose body was also found near the churchyard of St Margaret's Church on September 20 2014; and Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, whose body was found near the Abbey Ruins close to North Street on September 14.