Fresh link in death inquiry

Neil Williams, from Stirchley, Telford, was found dead at the back of Churncote, Stirchley, minus his jacket, shoes, watch, phone and money on Friday.

Now a man has come forward to say he saw Mr Williams, 41, in the early hours that day.

The anonymous phone call came as detectives released pictures of the stolen items - a pair of white training shoes, an adidas watch, a mobile phone and a dark bomber-style jacket.

Detective sergeant Billy Scott urged the man, who phoned from a telephone box in Brookside at 11.30am today, to call back.

He said: "We had a male caller giving us some valuable information - he gave us a sighting of Mr Williams.

"He said he saw Mr Williams on the Friday morning close to the area where he was found. We desperately need him to get back in touch today because what he tells us would be massive for this investigation.

"He phoned from the Brookside area of Telford from a payphone and then his money run out.

"The fact this man hasn't got any more change and has still not come back to us, means we need to find out if this was a genuine call."

Detectives do not know if Mr Williams, who has been described by his family as a "gentle giant", collapsed and died as he was robbed or if he was robbed as he lay ill on the ground.

Detective inspector John Elcock, leading the investigation, said "rumours were rife" in the area, but people were still not coming forward with the information.

Mr Elcock said: "We need the source of these rumours to come forward and tell us how they know this information and then we can act on those details."

A mystery caller who left half an answerphone message with Telford CID on Tuesday had also failed to get back in touch.

Anybody with information is asked to call Telford police on 08457 444888.

By Kirsty Marston