Man in court over murder of two Big Issue sellers in Birmingham Wayne Lee Busst (left) and Ian Watson-Gladwish, both Big Issue sellers, were killed in Birmingham city centre on Friday night. A man has appeared in court charged with murdering two Big Issue sellers who were stabbed in Birmingham city centre. John Ward, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until Wednesday after making a two-minute appearance before a district judge at Birmingham magistrates court. The 23-year-old was charged with the murders of Wayne Lee Busst and Ian Watson-Gladwish on Sunday. Busst, 32, and Watson-Gladwish, 31, both from Birmingham, died on Friday evening after they were stabbed in the Union Street area. Passersby and police officers administered first aid to the two men, but both were pronounced dead at the scene. Ward, wearing a dark blue T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during Monday's hearing and was ordered to appear at Birmingham crown court on Wednesday. In a statement issued at the weekend, John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue magazine, offered his condolences to the families of both victims. Bird said: "Myself and everyone at the Big Issue have been deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that two of our well-liked Birmingham-based vendors were stabbed to death in the city centre. We at the Big Issue are constantly striving to create opportunities which will help our vendors to get off the streets and out of harm's way. The Most Rev Bernard Longley, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Birmingham, also expressed his shock, describing the deaths of Busst and Watson-Gladwish as bewildering. "Wherever their families and friends may be, my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time, together with those who have offered each of them support and friendship here in Birmingham," Longley said. I pray that this tragic event may make us all more aware of the hardships faced by individuals and families looking for a permanent home or for work at this time of the year.