The brother of a 41-year-old man whose body was found near a children’s play area in Telford today hit out at the “vultures” who pounced on him or rifled through his pockets as he lay helpless on the ground.
Lifelong Wolves fan Neil Williams was a 6ft 3ins gentle giant and a decent, hard-working man who would never hurt anyone, said his brother Paul.
Police say Mr Williams may have died while being robbed - or even had his possessions stolen after collapsing through illness.
It is believed he was targeted as he walked home from the Randlay Farmhouse pub along a footpath near Churncote, Stirchley, on Thursday night.His body was found the next morning and a post-mortem examination has failed to establish a precise cause of death.
His black leather belt, mobile phone, silver Adidas watch, money and white training shoes were missing.
Mr Williams, a single man, of Calcott, Stirchley, was born and brought up in Dawley, attending Pool Hill and Phoenix schools.
He had worked all his life at Flexiplan, of Halesfield, which installs suspended ceilings.
Paul, 45, said: “Neil was a gentle giant. He was 18 stone, as strong as an ox and would do anything to avoid trouble.
“He loved banter, tending his allotment, playing pool and darts for the White Horse, Dawley, and walking his cocker spaniel, Ben.
“Police have been fantastic and I appeal to anyone who knows anything to get in touch with them. If you can’t go out for a pint and get home safe, it’s a sad state of affairs. The people who robbed him are vultures.”
He said his brother’s friends in the Crown, Dawley, had tears in their eyes when he called in last night.
Detective Inspector John Elcock said: “We want to trace two or three white men in their 30s or 40s who were speaking to Mr Williams in Randlay Farmhouse on Thursday night.
“We urge people to check their gardens and bins for his possessions.”
Contact Telford Police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
By Peter Johnson
7 Comments
I knew neil from when he used to go into blue peter taxi’s offices with his chinese and get his lift home, he really was a gentle giant and wouldn’t hurt a fly!!! R.I.P neil xxxxxxx
I used to work for Blue Peter and Neil would come in the offices nearly every night and sit waiting for a taxi and he was such a nice innofensive man. I cannot believe it. My sincere condolences to all of his family and friends, he will be sadly missed. R.I.P. Neil xxxxx
i cant believe that somebody would be that evil, my heart goes out to this mans family what sort of person or people who live in this area would do a thing like this
I was very sorry to read about the tragic death of Neil Williams, and also the shameful circumstances of robbery that have been reported.
If Paul Williams contacts the Shropshire Star office, he might be interested in reading a copy of the detailed letter I sent to Michael Gwynne, the Telford coroner, dated 18 March 2007 regarding premature deaths of all ages in certain parts of Shropshire. I sent a copy of that letter to Mark Pritchard MP and also to Philip Dunne MP with covering letters dated 19 March 2007 as both these MPs had expressed concern over the serious issue of premature deaths occurring in a predictable pattern.
Kind regards,
Michael Ryan, Shrewsbury
brave bods arent they picking on the ill and didnt have enough brains between them to call for help when he callopsed.scumbags the lot of them.
Seeing Neil’s photo here tonight has really shocked and saddened me. Anyone who knew Neil would simply have to agree with his brother’s gentle giant description.
Aside from being a nice bloke, Neil was a fanatical and loyal Wolves supporter. We spent many hours of banter joking about our respective team’s triumphs and (more often) their failings.
Whatever the actual circumstances were, the coward that robbed Neil needs to be caught and locked away!
My most sincere condolences go out to Neil’s family.
RIP Mate
The Hammers Fan
RIP gentle giant !!!! i knew neil from flexiplan and im sure wolves will miss his support