Murder-accused remanded in jail
A MAN has appeared in court accused of the murder of disabled Fakenham pensioner Anthony Griffiths, who was found dead at his home on Monday.
The 60-year-old was found in his ground-floor flat on Hall Close after concerns about his welfare had been raised by a neighbour. Post mortem examinations have since revealed he died from a stab wound.
Neil Hirrell (40), of 40 Wensum Way, Fakenham, appeared before Lynn magistrates' yesterday and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during a brief hearing.
No pleas were taken.
Mr Hirrel was remanded in custody and the case has been adjourned to Wednesday, March 26, when he will appear at Norwich Crown Court.
Mr Giles Debenham, defending, did not make an application for bail.
Detectives launched a murder investigation after discovering the body of Mr Griffiths at around 9.15am on Monday.
Early indications revealed he suffered both head and abdominal injuries in the attack and crime scene officers and forensic scientists carried out detailed examinations of his home on Monday and Tuesday.
Mr Griffiths was a resident at Baron's Hall Flats, which are owned and managed by the Victory Housing Trust and are close to Fakenham's police and fire stations on Norwich Road.
The Georgian-style building was taped off as a crime scene, along with a garden area to the side, as officers carried out their investigations, which included door-to-door inquiries at neighbouring properties.
On hearing news of the murder, Victory Housing Trust chief executive John Archibald said: "The person murdered was a tenant of ours. We are shocked by these events, as is everyone else, and we await with great interest the outcome of the police investigation."
Fakenham resident and Lynn News correspondent Jim Harding, who regularly delivers parish magazines in the Hall Close area, said: "It is a very quiet little community where people have just got on with their lives over the years.
"It is an undisturbed part of town and this is a big shock to their way of life."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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