Brighton and Hove homelessness workers 'distressed' at seafront murder

8:45am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Bill Gardner

The murder scene at Hove pitch and putt The murder scene at Hove pitch and putt

A rough sleeper was beaten to death and left hidden under a blanket next to a seafront pitch and putt course.

The bloodied body of a man was found on Monday evening (February  in an alcove near Kingsway in Hove by charity workers on a routine patrol.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said it was possible the corpse had been lying unnoticed for days beneath the busy walkway.

Officers believe the man was beaten, possibly with a weapon, and as a result suffered a severe wound to head.

Three volunteers who were checking up on the wellbeing of rough sleepers made the grim discovery at around 8:30pm.

They saw a figure lying under arches next to the golf course beneath a duvet with the head covered. But to their horror, when the volunteers pulled back the cover they discovered a badly beaten body.

The victim, who was originally from Hastings and in his 40s, had been living on the streets in Brighton and Hove for years - and police said he may have known his killer.

Lagoon search

Yesterday (February 12) officers fanned out across the city to speak to rough sleepers about the brutal attack while divers scoured nearby Hove Lagoon for a murder weapon.

Related links

Bec Davison, deputy director of the Brighton and Hove-based charity CRI, said the victim was well known to services in the city.

She said: “We have worked with him for a long time – we had a good relationship and he seemed quite happy.

“It's extremely distressing for everyone here. The saddest thing is that it's quite easy for someone who's a long time rough sleeper to become invisible.

“But this man was vulnerable and he had a real story.”

The charity workers who found the body were volunteering for Project Antifreeze, a Brighton and Hove-based homeless project.

Volunteers traumatised

Julian Haddow, the project's leader, said the three volunteers had been traumatised by their discovery but that they would be given “full support”.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Pollard, who is the leading the investigation, said “no stone would be left unturned” in the hunt for the man's killer.

He 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.

“This man was found next to a busy thoroughfare with cyclists, joggers and traffic. If anyone knows anything about what happened - please get in touch.”

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.

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Comments(41)

Mrs Newcastle says...
9:17am Wed 13 Feb 13

This is such a sad story , it's a true reflection of the society we all live in today, the one were it has become acceptable to be greedy before the need of food water and shelterfor everyone. RIP

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Tallywhacker says...
9:47am Wed 13 Feb 13

Greedy? How do you work that out?

Report this post »

redwing says...
10:10am Wed 13 Feb 13

Tallywhacker wrote:
Greedy? How do you work that out?
Try putting "inequality" into your search engine. They'll be hope for you yet.

Report this post »

heylookthatsme! says...
10:34am 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.I'm 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 there are alot of empty huts this time of year.The whole of that area needs re-developing,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 & shelter & food,some smart restaurants,beach volley ball courts etc.

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jamus77 says...
10:51am Wed 13 Feb 13

Brighton and Hove has always been about the haves and have nots, but the gap has grown wider than ever in the last 10 years. When I moved here in 2000 I thought it was the best place on earth. Now it's got a harder edge. There's more conspicuous wealth and poverty. In fact it's becoming what everyone always called it but it never really was - London by Sea.

Report this post »

SEAGULL08 says...
11:09am Wed 13 Feb 13

Just read your headline to this article, and ask yourself is this a dignified way to report this murder..."with Video".

I honestly question this papers reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis

Report this post »

Mrs Newcastle says...
11:14am Wed 13 Feb 13

heylookthatsme! wrote:
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.I'm 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 there are alot of empty huts this time of year.The whole of that area needs re-developing,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 & shelter & food,some smart restaurants,beach volley ball courts etc.
The only way to open the hearts of the wealthy is to show them videos of children in poverty. There not much that stops their belief that is morally acceptable to be rich, greedy and wealthy and what even more sad it how many people would jump into the shoes of a wealthy person if they could. Wealthy people need reminders to give to the poor.

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Mrs Newcastle says...
11:24am Wed 13 Feb 13

Tallywhacker wrote:
Greedy? How do you work that out?
love of money

Report this post »

jamevan says...
11:50am Wed 13 Feb 13

SEAGULL08 wrote:
Just read your headline to this article, and ask yourself is this a dignified way to report this murder..."with Video". I honestly question this papers reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis
I thought the same thing! The headline implies the man was murdered with a video or the Argus filmed the man being murdered, I still clicked on it to find out which one it was :-/

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Numi says...
12:06pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Homeless man murdered on Hove seafront – with video.
SEAGULL08 wrote:
Just read your headline to this article, and ask yourself is this a dignified way to report this murder..."with Video". I honestly question this papers reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis
I thought the same thing! The headline implies the man was murdered with a video or the Argus filmed the man being murdered, I still clicked on it to find out which one it was :-/

Exactly - a genuine and sad news story turned into a laughing stock by shoddy writing - please Argus reporters; read your headlines before posting them,

Report this post »

chilliman says...
12:35pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Why has the Argus gone "video crazy" on so many stories that don't need a video. They take ages to load and rarely add anything - unless they're for the illiterate to watch on their iPhones.

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supergus says...
12:47pm Wed 13 Feb 13

why should people that go out and earn there money have to give it away to people who cant be arsed to go out and get themselves a job???

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supergus says...
12:48pm Wed 13 Feb 13

chilliman wrote:
Why has the Argus gone "video crazy" on so many stories that don't need a video. They take ages to load and rarely add anything - unless they're for the illiterate to watch on their iPhones.
dont watch them then?

Report this post »

kerryfee says...
1:12pm Wed 13 Feb 13

heylookthatsme! wrote:
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.I'm 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 there are alot of empty huts this time of year.The whole of that area needs re-developing,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 & shelter & food,some smart restaurants,beach volley ball courts etc.
Can't use the beach huts no planning consent for them to be used as a residence. If the rich can't live in them neither can the homeless.
On the other hand that big blue tent could provide shelter for a number of people.
This is a tragic event my sympathy to the family.

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Valerie Paynter says...
1:35pm Wed 13 Feb 13

There is a Homelessness Scrutiny Panel in progress at the moment and I will look forward to reading its findings in a report to Full Council.

Nobody is immune from becoming homeless. Really. Nobody.

The article says he had a real story. I hope we get to hear what it is. I don't know the stories of any of the people I see living on the streets.

There will be many, many more in years to come and none of them is safe from violence.

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Valerie Paynter says...
1:38pm Wed 13 Feb 13

supergus wrote:
why should people that go out and earn there money have to give it away to people who cant be arsed to go out and get themselves a job???
Can I assume you are actually AWARE that even people with jobs become homeless?

At that point the need for shelter supercedes need to keep that job. I dare say your reply would be "no excuse".

Wish you well and hope it never happens to you.

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TonyB-of-Hove says...
1:47pm 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 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!

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Point says...
2:31pm Wed 13 Feb 13

I am from the organisation that found the man, we are out every night save many hundred's, we are a frontline service to the homeless, but this council has cut our funding, it gives us nothing, although we bring to the City over £500,000, they can spend on bike lanes, art deco, bandstands four people lost their lives through the cold and I believe this is the second murder of a homeless man, The council cut £10,000 they will argue they pay this and that for homeless people But not frontline services, it is left to us to do the street work,

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mimseycal says...
2:33pm Wed 13 Feb 13

SEAGULL08 wrote:
Just read your headline to this article, and ask yourself is this a dignified way to report this murder..."with Video".

I honestly question this papers reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis
And there was me thinking the headline read "Brighton and Hove homelessness workers 'distressed' at seafront murder" ...

Report this post »

SEAGULL08 says...
3:27pm Wed 13 Feb 13

mimseycal wrote:
SEAGULL08 wrote:
Just read your headline to this article, and ask yourself is this a dignified way to report this murder..."with Video".

I honestly question this papers reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis
And there was me thinking the headline read "Brighton and Hove homelessness workers 'distressed' at seafront murder" ...
This morning the articles headline read

"Homeless man murdered on Hove seafront - with video"

It has since been changed to a more sympathetic tone.

Report this post »

banargustrolls says...
4:15pm Wed 13 Feb 13

The Argus sensationalise headlines in order for you to watch their 30 SECOND advert before a rubbish video kicks in..

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a person says...
5:05pm Wed 13 Feb 13

banargustrolls wrote:
The Argus sensationalise headlines in order for you to watch their 30 SECOND advert before a rubbish video kicks in..
I would imagine like many web sites the argus has adverts on their site to help finance it.
As people are reading it for free why complain about adverts.
If you don’t want adverts buy the argus at the shop.

I have no problems with the reporting skills and the journalists employed on a daily basis,
I see them as human beings and none of us are perfect .

Report this post »

a person says...
5:06pm Wed 13 Feb 13

This is such a sad story . I agree with other people about the beach huts,
It would still be cold in them but would be dry and out of the wind,
If the council can change the speed to 20 miles,
why cant it change the law to allow only homeless people sleeping in beach huts at certain times of the year.

Report this post »

mark by the sea says...
5:32pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Many of the homeless have turned away from hostels because they can't drink or take drugs in them ... The guy who says they are out there every night.. But police say he could have been there for days!
Increase tax on alcohol, and direct money to treatment for alcoholism and help the homeless...
To many people so "upset" who do nothing but crocodile tears.

Report this post »

Futuremouse says...
5:41pm Wed 13 Feb 13

This made me so very sad. Everyone was a child once, with aspirations and hopes. People do not chose to live on the streets; they are a victim of circumstance. Give a thought to the homeless, sleeping rough in this freezing weather. Who deems to make us worth more? If you don;t want to give money, spare a moment of your time to talk to the homeless. All that separates them from us is that we lived a charmed life when we can eat three meals a day and have a roof over our heads.

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Futuremouse says...
5:47pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Do you really believe they chose this?
That this was their great goal?
Have you considered what events
Removed them all, from life’s payroll?

Belongings, spilling onto pavements
With only two senses you observe
Then walk past full of judgement
With your assumptions, you dis-serve

Circumstance, their badge of existence
Their lonely truth; societies disdain
Acknowledgement, a powerful present
A true antidote, to their pain

As trapped by others’ opinions
As by the doorway, where they sit
So why not take a moment
To make this part of your remit?

You don’t want to give your money?
Who deems that you’re worth more?
Than the soul, that you see sitting
On their cardboard covered floor

If you want to live your purpose
A conscious member of this race
Then give a warm drink and a sandwich
And make this action commonplace

Report this post »

MIDNIGHT COWBOY says...
6:00pm Wed 13 Feb 13

I support different homeless charities and people become homeless for many reasons including relationship break-ups, mental illness, suffering abuse and deciding to run away, unemployment and the list goes on. You can not consider these people unworthy of shelter just because of the above reasons. It only takes a run of bad luck and no support system in place and it could be you.

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saraman says...
6:00pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Mrs Newcastle wrote:
heylookthatsme! wrote: 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.I'm 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 there are alot of empty huts this time of year.The whole of that area needs re-developing,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 & shelter & food,some smart restaurants,beach volley ball courts etc.
The only way to open the hearts of the wealthy is to show them videos of children in poverty. There not much that stops their belief that is morally acceptable to be rich, greedy and wealthy and what even more sad it how many people would jump into the shoes of a wealthy person if they could. Wealthy people need reminders to give to the poor.
Mrs Newcastle, at what level of income, property, status etc whould you consider a person to be wealthy. £20k, £50k, £100k, £1m?

Report this post »

TonyB-of-Hove says...
6:02pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Thanks Futuremouse. Much appreciated.

Report this post »

Maxwell's Ghost says...
6:21pm Wed 13 Feb 13

This council is cutting services yet still wants an increase in council tax for their vanity projects:creating a bus lane on Lewes Road for a privatised, profit making, monopoly bus company which has created so much pollution I can now have a free eco driving lesson worth £70 while these people sleep on the freezing streets.
I suggest you oppose the increase, don't pay and then donate the increase directly to charities and organisations providing frontline services for the city's homeless and poor families.
Jason Kitkat and his posh mates and middle class supporters don't care about anyone else except their Regency homes being of great value and cleansing the city of the poor.

Report this post »

Council Pound says...
6:22pm Wed 13 Feb 13

And the CRI do what exactly?

Report this post »

Mrs Newcastle says...
7:23pm Wed 13 Feb 13

saraman wrote:
Mrs Newcastle wrote:
heylookthatsme! wrote: 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.I'm 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 there are alot of empty huts this time of year.The whole of that area needs re-developing,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 & shelter & food,some smart restaurants,beach volley ball courts etc.
The only way to open the hearts of the wealthy is to show them videos of children in poverty. There not much that stops their belief that is morally acceptable to be rich, greedy and wealthy and what even more sad it how many people would jump into the shoes of a wealthy person if they could. Wealthy people need reminders to give to the poor.
Mrs Newcastle, at what level of income, property, status etc whould you consider a person to be wealthy. £20k, £50k, £100k, £1m?
I am sure that a person who manages to set themselves free from the material world is spiritual very wealthy I consider a person can have wealth without a certain amount of money

Report this post »

AlanPare says...
10:39pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Council Pound wrote:
And the CRI do what exactly?
Hello Dave. You back again? Burnt down any hostels lately?

Report this post »

Farouche says...
8:32am Thu 14 Feb 13

Praying. I care.

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worthingite says...
8:59am Thu 14 Feb 13

chilliman wrote:
Why has the Argus gone "video crazy" on so many stories that don't need a video. They take ages to load and rarely add anything - unless they're for the illiterate to watch on their iPhones.
I did enjoy the 20 second clock that had stopped video,very very creative,you are wasted at the Argus,possible BAFTA ?

Report this post »

Juleyanne says...
10:03am Thu 14 Feb 13

A well known news reader ended up on the streets, it can happen to anyone for all kinds of reasons! These human beings need help not criticism. Thankfully, some us do care about others in crisis. The smug 'get off their a...' brigade, show a complete lack of understanding of human vulnerability and zero compassion score for their fellow man. Those in positions of power and influence who 'brush this problem under the carpet' should 'hang their heads in shame'.

Report this post »

Council Pound says...
11:47am Thu 14 Feb 13

AlanPare wrote:
Council Pound wrote:
And the CRI do what exactly?
Hello Dave. You back again? Burnt down any hostels lately?
Such deflamitrey comments from someone who is has been sidelined for bullying within the council. I hope all this time spent on here is not detracting from your new son, as we all know you ruined it for your first one, does he still not want to see you.

Report this post »

JuliaM says...
12:30pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Going by past cases like this, he's statistically most likely to have been murdered by a fellow homeless person.

I guess that'll give the homelessness workers even more to be 'distressed' about, won't it?

Report this post »

spa301 says...
12:48pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Valerie Paynter wrote:
supergus wrote: why should people that go out and earn there money have to give it away to people who cant be arsed to go out and get themselves a job???
Can I assume you are actually AWARE that even people with jobs become homeless? At that point the need for shelter supercedes need to keep that job. I dare say your reply would be "no excuse". Wish you well and hope it never happens to you.
Valerie
Don't rise to the bait. Just ignore, but perhaps pity this pathetic attention seeking idiot.
This is a tragedy that I hope helps open more peoples eyes to this desperate homeless situation that is now unfortunately all around us. I for one have been deeply troubled by this incident which has prompted me to seek a way of actually helping rather than just passing by on the way to my warm home.

Report this post »

Council Pound says...
12:55pm Thu 14 Feb 13

maybe it's time to get rid of the overpaid uncompassionate senior Managers that hide behind desks and are no way in the know of life on the streets of B & H.

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AlanPare says...
7:57pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Council Pound wrote:
maybe it's time to get rid of the overpaid uncompassionate senior Managers that hide behind desks and are no way in the know of life on the streets of B & H.
Maybe we should get you back Dave to sort it out?

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