THE brother of a man who died after a confrontation with a gang on a Gwent estate has paid a moving tribute to his "best friend".

Simon Gibbons collapsed and died after the fracas on Newport's Duffryn estate on Wednesday.

His brother Dominic, (pictured) aged 28, who is still shocked by what happened, describes Simon as being the "best in the world and also the best friend".

He said: "He was everything a brother should be - protective, supportive and if he needed anything he would turn to me which is just as important really."

Simon was the eldest of three children in a very close family. His Italian mother Julia passed away two years ago but Dominic, his sister Nicola and their father Tony remain very close.

Dominic said: "We have got a big family, when you are working everyone gets on with their own lives but Simon always used to find the time somehow to go and see the cousins and keep everyone together.

"It is just such a big loss and with everything that is surrounding his death it is difficult just to come to terms with it and it is hard to grieve at the moment."

Simon grew up in Newport and went to St Patrick's and St Julian's Schools. He then trained as a chef and worked in a number of hotels in the city.

Dominic remembers his brother spending his first pay packets on him. He said: "Simon was very loving and protective because there is a five-and-a-half year gap between us. "I will always remember him having his first job, taking me into town and spoiling me and buying stuff for me."

Simon moved to security and worked as a loss prevention officer and a door staff member. He had heart surgery to replace a valve over a year ago, but had made a full recovery from the routine operation.

Dominic says that he idolised his two children Dominica, aged six and Arron, aged five, who he used to see every third weekend. "He did as much as he could with them spending all his money on new clothes. Every time they came down he would bring them round to our house and we would cook them a meal.

"He was a funny guy, he would make a laugh out of something to try and cheer you up. He was very close to us all.

"Simon is still loved by us all and he will be missed." Dominic and his wife Ceri added that the level of support they received from Gwent police has been amazing.

Yesterday police arrested eight youths in connection with Simon's death. They have all been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Pill CID on 01633 245260.