Murder inquiry as Bexhill man is found dead in his own home

A Hastings man 30 years his junior, Christopher Hunnisett, who four months ago was cleared at a retrial of murdering vicar Ronald Glazebrook in 2001, having served eight years in prison for the crime, has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the killing.

Mr Bick, who only moved to Bexhill from Bognor Regis last year, was found by officers during the early hours of Wednesday. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Sloan, of Sussex Police’s major crime branch, is heading the investigation into his death.

Police believe the victim died following several blows to the head.

He said: “Our inquiry was launched after after a 27-year-old man handed himself in to Hastings police station late on Tuesday night. This led us to the body of a man in a flat in Bexhill.

“Officers are carrying out house-to-house enquiries and a search is continuing at his home.

“We have also extended this search to the beach at Bexhill where we understand property was discarded on Tuesday.

“In particular we are looking for a black Nokia mobile phone, a sim card, memory cards, a black woolly hat with grey badge and black ski gloves with woolly palms. If anyone has found such items, I would urge them to contact police.

“I would also like to appeal to anyone who had contact with Peter in the days or hours before his death. Peter had worked at Asda in St Leonards since September and was liked by his colleagues, who described him as a friendly man who always had a smile on his face.

“He was last seen finishing work at 4pm on Monday and was due to be on a rest day on Tuesday. A man, who we believe was known to Peter, handed himself into police on Tuesday night. He has been arrested for murder and is in custody. We are not looking for anyone else at this stage.”

Yesterday detectives were granted an extra 36 hours by Eastbourne magistrates to question the man being held in custody.

Mr Bick’s body was removed in a private ambulance after dark on Wednesday prior to a post mortem examination which confirmed he had died from severe head injuries.

DCI Sloan added: “We believe this may have happened during the early hours of Tuesday.”

Mr Bick’s first-floor flat is one of five in a large, white converted house at the top end of the Dorset Road South cul-de-sac where it abuts the Eastbourne-Hastings railway line. It has a single bedroom/living room and separate kitchen, bathroom and hallway.

On Wednesday morning, police sealed off Dorset Road South beyond its junction with Cantelupe Road as scene-of-crimes officers moved in to begin the grim task of securing evidence and piecing together the moments leading up to Mr Bick’s death.

Fellow resident and flats’ caretaker Juley Ross, 55, who has lived at the address for four years and who occupies a flat directly below Mr Bick’s, said: “I had been out and so know nothing of what occurred. It was not until police arrived and asked me for keys that I knew anything was wrong.

“What I do know is that Peter was a really nice, intelligent, smart, humorous and pleasant guy, and it is such a shame he had to meet such a nasty end. It’s very sad.”

Mrs Ross believed he had friends in Hastings and said items of mail for him were often addressed to “The Honourable Peter Bick”. According to his page on social internet site, Facebook, he originally came from Walthamstow, London, and was educated at St Egbert’s College, Chingford.

It is believed he was associated with the Duke of Edinburgh’s favourite sport of carriage-driving, for instance being listed as a sponsor at the 2003 Windsor Sponsored Drive, in which Prince Philip was a competitor.

The property, a former vicarage, is owned by Mike and Kate Dilks, of Rectory Lane, Saltwood, near Hythe, Kent - Mrs Dilks having previously lived in Bexhill herself.

In 2009 the couple were granted planning permission to demolish the house and replace it with 10 apartments, later increased to 12, but this has yet to be done.

Mrs Ross said: “Peter’s death has been a total shock to everyone here and naturally very upsetting. One of our residents is an 80-year-old woman.”

Chief Inspector Heather Keating, Rother police commander, was quick to quell fears, and said: “I must stress this was an isolated incident. Anyone who believes they may have information which may assist us is asked to contact Sussex Police on on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Binton, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”