Update: Man dies in attack at Hove pitch and putt

7:57am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Bill Gardner

A rough sleeper who died on Hove seafront last night was the victim of a "vicious attack", police have said.

The body of a man was discovered by volunteers from a homeless project next to the pitch and putt near the Western Esplanade at around 8.30pm (February 11).

The victim, thought to be in his 40s, had suffered a severe head injury.

Specialist search teams are continuing to search for clues this evening (February 12) to find out who is responsible for the brutal attack.

Police in diving gear have today been searching Hove Lagoon for evidence.

The workers who found the body were from Project Antifreeze, a Brighton and Hove-based homeless charity, which is part of Off The Fence.

But the police have said it is "not exactly clear" when the man received the severe injuries to his head.

He was sleeping rough in an alcove in the pitch and putt area of Hove.

Detective Chief Inspector, Ian Pollard, who is the leading the investigation said: "This was a vicious attack, the motive of which is not yet known nor how the deceased's injuries were inflicted. 

"I know the street community are very close knit - but I would appeal to them to please get in touch if they have any information that could help us with our enquiries no matter how relevant they think it is. 

"Many of the street community personally know Sergeant Richard Siggs, from the Neighbourhood Police Team, who is currently out with officers making local enquiries and liaising with the relevant partner agencies.

"A cordon will remain for several hours around the crime scene along with a scene guard.

"I would like to thank local residents for their understanding and patience and would urge them to approach any of our officers if they have any concerns."

He later added: "We have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this investigation and we will not stop until we find the person or persons responsible for this brutal attack.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information and has not yet come forward to please do so as a matter of urgency.

"I would also like to thank those members of the street community and partner agencies for their support and help with the investigation to date.

"Brighton and Hove has a visible street community but one that local officers such as Sergeant Richard Siggs, regularly liaises with.

"I'm confident that if someone from that community can help us solve this terrible crime, they will."

Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information that could assist police with their enquiries are asked to call 101 quoting Op Depot or alternatively leave an anonymous message with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  

Comments(36)

mark by the sea says...
8:23am Tue 12 Feb 13

The area is where there is a camp of homeless under the beach huts, on the pitch and putt... Not sure why the council allowed them to stay?

Report this post »

fred clause says...
8:47am Tue 12 Feb 13

There homeless and where else are they going to go?

Report this post »

Spanners says...
9:04am Tue 12 Feb 13

I cycle past there every day - the encampment has been growing visibly in last couple of weeks

Tons of police and and area all covered in foreensic tents as of about 8.30am

Report this post »

whereisthe...? says...
9:48am Tue 12 Feb 13

What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.

Report this post »

Mrs Newcastle says...
10:10am Tue 12 Feb 13

whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
I think that our local council needs to start providing a trailer park for homeless people in the city. I feel ashamed that we allow human beings to sleep and live in shop doorways. I am sorry that we let you down and you left with this terrible position of having to live in makeshift camps.

Report this post »

AGT999 says...
10:22am Tue 12 Feb 13

whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis

Report this post »

AmboGuy says...
10:31am Tue 12 Feb 13

whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
Oh my god do you think these people are suspects in his murder then?

It's amazing how someone can be murdered and it's the coalitions fault. I'm no fan of politicians but no really need to engage your brain before typing.

Report this post »

Fercri Sakes says...
10:39am Tue 12 Feb 13

AGT999 wrote:
whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis
That's an inacurate myth peddled by The Tories. Our debts actually went down under Labour even with all that public spending up UNTIL the banking crisis. We were spending the money we DID have.

It was bailing out the banks that left us in this financial mess. And don't forget the Tories wanted even more 'light-touch' regulation of the banks.

The Tories ideology is to try and ignore the financial sectors role in the recession and blame it on welfare claimants and public sector workers. That's not saving the economy though as it's pounds in most people's pockets (bottom 80%), not just the rich, that will get the economy moving again.

You should read up on it all.

Report this post »

vogon1 says...
11:19am Tue 12 Feb 13

Someone has died and all people can do is turn it into political handbags....

Report this post »

wexler53 says...
11:23am Tue 12 Feb 13

Very short memories along with political dogma...
Labour grew the public sector in order to try and safeguard it's position in power well beyond 50% of GDP.
An untenable situation since only private sector tax revenues contribute in real terms. Simple arithmetic proves the point.
So, politics aside, if expenditure exceeds income, you have a deficit.
Labour generated a lose lose situation which was then made far worse by the banking crises, and the problems in the euro zone.
We now have a very poor financial situation that will take years to correct, and that realistically, only a vibrant tax generating private sector will provide.
Government can print money, but ultimately this does nothing other than provide some temporary stimulus. Even that depends on the money going to the right places.
The state sector only spends our money, inefficiently at that.
Politics are inescapable unfortunately, but we need some hardcore realism, not dogma.

Report this post »

Cabin fever says...
11:27am Tue 12 Feb 13

vogon1 wrote:
Someone has died and all people can do is turn it into political handbags....
Totally agree. I'm pretty sure they have been homeless people for hundreds of years, under various different governments, so the whole 'argument' is a complete joke.

RIP, man.

Report this post »

DC Brighton says...
11:33am Tue 12 Feb 13

Fercri Sakes wrote:
AGT999 wrote:
whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis
That's an inacurate myth peddled by The Tories. Our debts actually went down under Labour even with all that public spending up UNTIL the banking crisis. We were spending the money we DID have.

It was bailing out the banks that left us in this financial mess. And don't forget the Tories wanted even more 'light-touch' regulation of the banks.

The Tories ideology is to try and ignore the financial sectors role in the recession and blame it on welfare claimants and public sector workers. That's not saving the economy though as it's pounds in most people's pockets (bottom 80%), not just the rich, that will get the economy moving again.

You should read up on it all.
Not true.

UK public debt stood at about 38% of GDP in 2002. It had risen to over 44% in 2007 - from £400bn to over £620bn - despite low interest payments. A modest budget deficit was run in every one of these years. So we were borrowing. Our debts did not go down under any measure.

Report this post »

Joshiman says...
12:23pm Tue 12 Feb 13

These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis”Agreed.No spin from champagne socialists please.
Sad that someone was ,it seems murdered.Cannot understand why we have all of a sudden a lot of homeless people flocking to Brighton.

Report this post »

Hooitness says...
12:26pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I think it's about the time the Argus stopped letting people comment on articles.

It's always the same old political drivvel, from the same people.

What's the quote? Oh yes, "Better to let people think you a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Report this post »

Fercri Sakes says...
12:34pm Tue 12 Feb 13

DC Brighton wrote:
Fercri Sakes wrote:
AGT999 wrote:
whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis
That's an inacurate myth peddled by The Tories. Our debts actually went down under Labour even with all that public spending up UNTIL the banking crisis. We were spending the money we DID have.

It was bailing out the banks that left us in this financial mess. And don't forget the Tories wanted even more 'light-touch' regulation of the banks.

The Tories ideology is to try and ignore the financial sectors role in the recession and blame it on welfare claimants and public sector workers. That's not saving the economy though as it's pounds in most people's pockets (bottom 80%), not just the rich, that will get the economy moving again.

You should read up on it all.
Not true.

UK public debt stood at about 38% of GDP in 2002. It had risen to over 44% in 2007 - from £400bn to over £620bn - despite low interest payments. A modest budget deficit was run in every one of these years. So we were borrowing. Our debts did not go down under any measure.
Public debt stood at nearly 50% when Labour came to power. They actually reduced it. More info (with graphs) here: http://redearedrabbi
t.com/2012/11/27/the
-debt-fallacy/

Report this post »

twinglemum says...
12:57pm Tue 12 Feb 13

We have to remember that people who are homeless all have a very different tale to tell as to how they ended up in this sorry state. If you cas tyour mind back to last year this pitch and putt green became a no go area for regular people as the "homeless" people there threatened to attack anyone who approached them.

Report this post »

rolivan says...
1:31pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Why can't the Council develop the Patcham Court Farm site into something for the Homeless.Instead of the development at Richardsons yard why not develop that into something that will bring in some profit to provide low cost accomodation on the outskirts of town if the Homeless do not go there then move them out of the city.

Report this post »

The Baron Pepperpot says...
1:41pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Someone has died, apparently in suspicious circumstances.

This is sad news.

That is the subject of this article.

But some posters cannot help themselves.

Report this post »

Hoarder12345444 says...
2:41pm Tue 12 Feb 13

AGT999 wrote:
whereisthe...? wrote:
What do you expect? People are DYING thanks to the cuts and selfish attitude fostered by The Sun / Coalition!


MIKE WEATHERLY, CAMERON & CLEGG- the blood of many homeless is on your hands. Shame on you.
These are Labour cuts due to the Brown, Balls and co spending money we never had. They were just lucky that they could hide behind the banking crisis
Blame labour just blame them. Yet under them there was much more prosperity and growth. Cameron just wants to squeeze everyone and privatise everything and get the public books looking better. He doesnt care a jot about poor people he is just out to care for his rich pals.

As for the homeless people I feel sorry for them. Not many people do though. You sit in the street begging and people have no sympathy for you. Perhaps it means we are too hard on others, or perhaps we are too cynical and think they are just beggars that want to just scrounge for money.

Report this post »

Cardiffcgull says...
3:01pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I don't believe this is anything to do with politics, homelessness etc, who would benefit by killing a person who has nothing?

Seems to me to be a matter between and solely within, the homeless fraternity,time will tell.

Report this post »

Cabin fever says...
4:48pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Why don't those of you debating the various merits of your beloved political parties go to a political forum and debate until you are blue (or red) in the face?

An article about a person that has died is NOT the place for those sorts of conversation, IMO.

Report this post »

woodie49 says...
5:37pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Some poor soul has been murdered here, and all some idiots can due is turn it into a political rant.

Report this post »

Unbias says...
6:49pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Cabin fever wrote:
vogon1 wrote: Someone has died and all people can do is turn it into political handbags....
Totally agree. I'm pretty sure they have been homeless people for hundreds of years, under various different governments, so the whole 'argument' is a complete joke. RIP, man.
As as others too have said afterwards...I totally agree.

RIP Sir.

I so hope whoever did this to you get's their just deserve.

Report this post »

Caputo says...
8:00pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I am genuinely saddened to here this. ALL human life is important.
If you asked any nine-year-old-child
"What do you hope to be doing, at the age of forty?"
They never would reply 'sleeping/dying on the streets of Brighton'
RIP - Fella x

Report this post »

hubby says...
8:01pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Some nasty fockers living in B&H.
A Clockwork Orange comes to Hove Lawns.
RIP you poor soul.

Report this post »

Somethingsarejustwrong says...
9:05pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Sooner we get the homeless street drinkers incarcerated the better!

Report this post »

heylookthatsme! says...
1:43am Wed 13 Feb 13

Terrible news.hey look,whats that directly behind the homeless camp? Oh its at least 30 or more vacant/unused for about 11 months of the year beach huts.im sure these wealthy £5000 a hut owners can open their hearts and open the doors, to give shelter.you can easily sleep 2 people per hut,and theres alot of unused huts.the whole of that area needs redeveloping,get rid of that pointless dated piece of grass/so called pitch n putt and those terrible tennis courts and filthy old lagoon.start by building a smart homeless centre with positive activities and some smart restaurants and beach volley ball courts etc.btw politicians,bankers & the church have always been corrupt and need to be abolished as soon as possible.

Report this post »

Juleyanne says...
7:15am Wed 13 Feb 13

It is all to easy to think of a homeless man as simply a kind of tramp, unkempt, maybe a drinker.druggie. The reality is - this is a human being, whatever his current
lack of status, poor circumstances, mental or physical health. he or she should not be 'on the freezing, damp and precarious streets'. This is a serious system failure, worsened considerably by a horrendous economic downturn. The streets are a 'jungle', as the damaged, the broken, the sick and mentally ill, through drink, drugs or victims of a bad set of circumstances job losses, relationship breakdown, welfare cuts mingle in their despair and desolation for any crumb of comfort they can find. Even a dry place to sleep or anything that might numb the reality of their desperate situations becomes the sole aim of their tragic existence. Invitably, violence is a stark reality in this 'pit of despair' where the desperate compete with the dangerous. These human beings need sanctuary and all the help they can get to escape this miserable existence. Words will not help them, action will!

Report this post »

Charlotte22 says...
8:25am Wed 13 Feb 13

I would just like to say, myself my mother, my sister, and a couple of friends went around the streets of brighton and hove at christmas. Giving food, clothes, blankets and hot drinks to these homeless people.

It is just un believable the amount of people sleeping on our streets. There was 2 men who we met who was sleeping in these arches on hove seafront, both very pleasant to talk too and very appreciative . People are very quick to judge!!

Homelessness can happen to anyone, thats including the people who have commented this article.
Maybe if you was in that situation, you might feel differently. Some people take the smallest things in life for granted.
This poor man has been killed, if he had a roof over his head, or just somewhere to sleep for the night, this almost certainly might never of happened.

What a lovely man he was when we met him, very polite . Life had just dealt him a **** hand.Some of you have commented should be utterly ashamed of yourselves. I hope you never end up in his situation.!

Report this post »

AlanPare says...
8:26am Wed 13 Feb 13

Somethingsarejustwro
ng wrote:
Sooner we get the homeless street drinkers incarcerated the better!
"Somethingsarejustwr
ong" is just wrong.

Report this post »

Charlotte22 says...
8:40am Wed 13 Feb 13

'somethingsarejustwr
ong'

Should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. lets hope you are never in the position of being homeless!

Report this post »

chrisortner says...
10:32am Wed 13 Feb 13

Unbias wrote:
Cabin fever wrote:
vogon1 wrote: Someone has died and all people can do is turn it into political handbags....
Totally agree. I'm pretty sure they have been homeless people for hundreds of years, under various different governments, so the whole 'argument' is a complete joke. RIP, man.
As as others too have said afterwards...I totally agree. RIP Sir. I so hope whoever did this to you get's their just deserve.
his name is lee williams he was a great bloke who liked a drink like most people do the difference was he was homeless the homeless comunity of brighton is helping with the police to get who did this . remember he has family think how they are at this time and stop turning it into something political.
rest in peace lee ....

Report this post »

TonyB-of-Hove says...
12:18pm Wed 13 Feb 13

It is so easy to become homeless. I was recently on the streets and now have a far deeper understanding and sympathy with homeless people. Without going into details I had a home, job and marriage and overnight lost them all overnight. I am shocked at just how many people are sleeping rough on our streets and in shop doorways every night. They are not hard to find. Don't ignore everyone on the streets just because you have particular views about them which could well be wrong - or could be based on just one not pleasant experience. Not all homeless people are drunks and druggies. As they used to say on the lottery, 'it could be you!' Please do talk to people on the streets. You will be surprised at what you hear and help them if you can. It's no good banging on about politics as that could be seen as passing the buck. Get out there and do something - please!

Report this post »

OldBrightonian says...
7:30pm Wed 13 Feb 13

The fact that the Police are keen to hear from the 'street-drinking community' speaks volumes, to me! Brighton is too liberal with the drink/drugs/streetli
ving community, I can recall a few years ago when a ZERO TOLERANCE attitude was taken to street drinkers/beggars/the
ives was taken, and it felt safer when using a Cash Machine!!! less being jostled/surroundedf by beggars!. I PREDICT that this murder will be found to have been commited by a member of this 'unregulated street community'. It seems harsh and judgemental BUT there IS help available to people and so it is there own choice if they are sleeping rough.

Report this post »

Chad Spratsky says...
11:28pm Wed 13 Feb 13

OldBrightonian wrote:
The fact that the Police are keen to hear from the 'street-drinking community' speaks volumes, to me! Brighton is too liberal with the drink/drugs/streetli

ving community, I can recall a few years ago when a ZERO TOLERANCE attitude was taken to street drinkers/beggars/the

ives was taken, and it felt safer when using a Cash Machine!!! less being jostled/surroundedf by beggars!. I PREDICT that this murder will be found to have been commited by a member of this 'unregulated street community'. It seems harsh and judgemental BUT there IS help available to people and so it is there own choice if they are sleeping rough.
What do you mean "unregulated" street community? All citizens have to abide by (and should be protected by) the same laws... your comment makes no sense. There is of course help available, but I think if you dig around you'll find that affordable housing solutions and support services for all the homeless and rough sleeping people in the UK and specifically Brighton, is not enough to meet demand. My judgement on YOU (as you are so quick to judge others) is that if you are ignorant of the facts. Ask 100 rough sleepers whether their rough sleeping was a lifestyle choice at the point they started sleeping rough and you'll find probably one or two people. Ask how many would stay on the streets if they were offered an immediate and affordable housing solution and I think you'd find a very large % taking up the offer of a roof over their heads... "their own choice" - tut tut!

Report this post »

Zeta Function says...
12:14am Fri 15 Feb 13

The housing situation is so dire that it's contributing to the homeless problem.

Many schemes will not accept applicants with pets. Many homeless persons have pets, dogs mainly.

The out of work homeless won't get access to schemes for those in work.

The accommodation on offer is not fit for purpose and comes with a bunch of regulations: Worse than prison.

Squatting is illegal.

Without an address people can't claim benefits or vote. Unless they fill in extra forms.

Our democracy is being eroded, with control of economic policies being passed to an unelected financial elite. That is why we are seeing increasing numbers of people, including women, without homes and living out in the open.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree