THE FATHER of a man found dying of a stab wound in a car this week has said he is his trying to come to terms with the 'tragic loss' of his 'kind and caring' son.

Timothy Smith, 45, was found in a silver Ford Focus on an industrial estate in the Leicestershire town of Shepshed on Thursday night.

He had been stabbed once, it is understood.

Originally from Oxfordshire, he had been living in Fazeley near Tamworth in Staffordshire.

Despite the efforts of paramedics Mr Smith died at the scene.

Leicestershire Police have arrested, interviewed and released a man and a woman, both aged 53, and are still quizzing two men aged 20 and 17.

Last night, Mr Smith's father Derick Smith, who still lives in Oxfordshire, paid tribute to his son.

In a statement issued by police, the 66-year-old said: "Tim was a very kind, thoughtful and caring son and I cannot adequately express in words how deeply shocked and saddened I am to learn of his death.

"He was a thoroughly good-hearted person. He was kind and thoughtful and tried to do his best in every aspect of his life, whether that was how he applied himself to work or how he developed and maintained friendships.

"Tim loved his mother dearly, and was extremely upset when she died last year. Since her death, we have been in regular contact, even thought he was living in Staffordshire, and news that he too now has gone is so desperately and deeply sad for us all.

"This has been a terrible shock, and I would ask that the media allows us time and space to try to come to terms with our tragic loss without intrusion.”