TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'gentle giant' found stabbed in his home.

The body of David Bond, 50, was discovered by police officers on Tuesday inside the front door of his Osmonde Close property in Broadwater, Worthing, at about 12.15pm. A friend raised the alarm when he was not seen for several days.

It is believed he was killed on Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week neighbours told The Argus of their shock of his death but this newspaper did not publish his name with police still hoping to trace a next of kin. 

Mr Bond’s family today remembered him as a “gentle giant”. His mother Anne Manley-Rollings said: "He was always happy, cheerful and he enjoyed life."

His step-father Sonny added: "He was kind as well and he liked to help others."

Mr Bond's lodger 51-year-old Alan Knight was wanted on suspicion of his murder and police issued an appeal for him to come forward yesterday. He was spotted on CCTV in Bath on Tuesday and Wednesday and his best friend Carl Knight, who is not related, phoned The Argus to appeal for him to get in touch last night.

Officers arrested him in Lancashire late last night. He walked into a police station in Fleetwood just a few minutes after midnight and told officers he was wanted by Sussex Police. It is understood that he had been staying at a hotel in the area.

He is currently in hospital receiving treatment for what are thought to be self-inflicted injuries. He is under police guard and he will be returned to Sussex for questioning when he is released, police said this afternoon.

A post mortem conducted last night confirmed Mr Bond had multiple stab wounds.

Police are still looking for Mr Bond’s Ford Focus-style red van with the registration number HT02 HMA and are now focusing on an area in Mitcham, Surrey.   Anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Waterhouse.

The Argus is taking tributes in honour of Mr Bond. Call 01273 021376 if you wish to leave a message in his memory.