A MAN stabbed to death outside the Downham Tavern pub has been officially identified as Lenny Kempley.

Police were called to the scene in Downham Way, Downham, at around 11.50pm on July 17 to reports of two men having being stabbed.

Mr Kempley, 54, of Edward Tyler Road, Grove Park, was taken to a south London hospital but he died less than an hour later.

A post-mortem examination was held at Greenwich Mortuary on Sunday and the cause of death was given as a stab wound to the heart.

The second man, in his late 20s, was taken to a separate south London hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Family members say Mr Kempley had been trying to defend his wife from an attack by three men at the Downham Tavern pub before he was killed.

Mr Kempley had only recently been released from prison. He was sentenced to 18 years in 1995 for attempted robbery and making use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest.

He was part of a gang, one of whom was disguised as a policeman, who had tried to rob a Kwik Save in Essex, threatening staff with guns.

After the alarm was raised, they tried to escape, with Kempley firing shots at police. He also had previous convictions for robbery, wounding with intent and unlawful wounding.

A murder investigation is being headed by Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain.

An incident room has opened at Lewisham police station under Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne.

Anyone with information that may assist police should call the incident room on 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man in his 30s has been arrested and is currently in custody at a south London police station.

Two other men and a woman have also been arrested in connection with the investigation and have been bailed until next month.