Dog walker, 83, killed in woods may have burst in on drug deal
A MAN of 83 stabbed to death while walking his dogs could have been killed after stumbling across drug dealers, it was claimed last night.
The married father-of-two suffered multiple stab wounds in a “brutal” attack to his neck and head.
Both dogs stayed beside him among thick nettles in woodland near East Harling, near Thetford, Norfolk, until his body was found by a passer-by.
Police admit they do not know a motive for the killing and detectives sweeping the area say they have not found the murder weapon.
But locals suspect the victim had stumbled across a drugs deal on Saturday morning.
Retired engineer Terry Ransom, 73, said: “I have been coming up here for 20 years and the woods have become more dodgy in that time. The area is a bit scary and I am always cautious.
“A lot of dog walkers come here from a wide area because it is fenced in and you can safely let your dog off.
“I am used to seeing people drawing up in cars. You see them exchanging something and off they go. I am sure it is to do with drugs.”
Mr Ransom, of nearby Attleborough, revealed he had seen apparent drugs-related activity recently. He said: “At around the end of June I saw two men, one aged around 35 and one about 20, hanging around. One looked like he was hiding things in the wood while the other was keeping watch.
“Two days later, I saw a teenager on a mountain bike come to a stop in the same area and he picked up a package which he put in his pocket.
Staring
“There was also a chap aged in his early 20s about three months ago who kept following me around.
“He just kept staring at me. I got a bit riled and thought about approaching him but then he just went off.”
Chief Superintendent Mike Fawcett said 50 police were working on the investigation.
He said:“I’m not in a position identify the victim at this time.”
He said the woods had not been linked to its recent campaign against drugs. But refuse will not be collected within a five mile radius until gardens have been combed for evidence or clues to the attack. to