Former West Norfolk councillor Lawrence Wilkinson dies a year after shocking burglary
A former councillor has died a year after being hurt in a shocking New Year’s Eve burglary at his home that left him and his wife in hospital.
However, it is not thought his death is related to his injuries sustained last year.
Tributes have been paid to Lawrence Wilkinson, who served as a West Norfolk councillor for a decade and was a lifelong Labour Party member.
Known as ‘Slim’, the 87-year-old was elected as a district councillor for St Germans in 1995 and he remained a member until 2007.
He was later made an honorary Alderman – one of only 13 former councillors to be bestowed with this title.
His death comes 12 months after Mr Wilkinson and his wife Mary, also in her late 80s, were taken to hospital following a violent burglary in their home minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
In the attack, Mrs Wilkinson suffered a shattered hip while Mr Wilkinson suffered multiple cuts and bruises to the head after being put in a headlock and repeatedly punched, according to reports from neighbours.
One person who lives next door to their home on Archdale Street in Lynn described it as a “short and frenzied attack”.
The couple were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with serious injuries, according to Norfolk Police, and were later discharged.
Following the attack, a man in his 30s and a man in his 40s were arrested on suspicion of burglary - but after being interviewed they were released and no further action was taken.
A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said: “All lines of enquiry have been exhausted.”
At a borough council meeting this week, Steve Everett, a serving councillor and Mr Wilkinson’s grandson, paid tribute to ‘Slim’, who he said had the “gift of the gab”.
He said: “My grandfather was the reason I got involved in politics. I remember when I was a young lad being paid in dinner for delivering leaflets in Magdalen and St Germans.
“You are going to be missed by lots of people who you have helped over the many years with your selfless loyal services to this council. Rest in peace, Alderman.”