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Hove pitch and putt body: Man killed in 'vicious attack' | Hove pitch and putt body: Man killed in 'vicious attack' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A man who was found dead next to a pitch and putt golf course on Hove seafront was killed in a "vicious attack", police said. | A man who was found dead next to a pitch and putt golf course on Hove seafront was killed in a "vicious attack", police said. |
The man, believed to be in his 40s and a rough sleeper, was discovered with a severe head injury near Western Esplanade at about 20:30 GMT on Monday. | The man, believed to be in his 40s and a rough sleeper, was discovered with a severe head injury near Western Esplanade at about 20:30 GMT on Monday. |
He was found by community workers from a homeless project who called police. | He was found by community workers from a homeless project who called police. |
Det Ch Insp Ian Pollard said: "This was a vicious attack, the motive of which is not yet known." | Det Ch Insp Ian Pollard said: "This was a vicious attack, the motive of which is not yet known." |
'Knew attacker' | 'Knew attacker' |
He said officers did not know how the man's injuries were inflicted but he may have known his attacker. | |
Adding that the area was frequented by homeless people, he said: "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 inquiries no matter how relevant they think it is." | |
He said a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on Wednesday. | |
People who live nearby said two men regularly slept in the area and were well-known to residents. | |
Local resident Len Eastwood said: "The local community, especially people in the flats and the houses here, kept an eye on them and they appreciated it. They were very well looked after actually." | |
He added: "They had no axe to grind with anybody locally, so I wouldn't know who would want to hurt them." | |
Duncan Shrubsole, from the homeless charity Crisis, said: "Levels of violence and victimisation on homeless people are very high and actually homeless people are 13 times more likely to be a victim of violence than the general public. | |
"Most of that violence is often committed by the general public. Homelessness is a very dangerous experience." | |
The scene was cordoned off on Tuesday while forensic examinations were carried out and specialist officers searched the scene. | |
Any witnesses have been asked to contact the police. |