BODY FOUND
Rough sleeper is found dead
Details of a homeless man found dead in a town centre doorway just inches from passers-by are still to be released.
Police cordoned off a large section of Jubilee Square in Maidstone after the body was found in the doorway of the RBS branch on Thursday.
Although he had been passed by numerous people walking through the town, the discovery was not reported to police until around 8.45am.
A name has circulated on social media but the Kent Messenger has chosen not to publish it as next of kin has yet to be found and informed.
Flowers were placed outside the bank, which remained closed until Monday.
One message left with the bouquets read: “Dance with the angels now.”
Mourners took to Facebook to express their sorrow.
“So sad. He was a lovely guy. Rest in peace”and “Will miss him and his lovely smile on the streets”, were among comments.
Amanda Sidwell, from homeless charity Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM), said the rough sleeper was well known to homeless organisations in the County Town.
“He was a proud man - he didn’t ask for help and he didn’t always want help. I don’t think he ever complained about anything.
“I think the streets had become his home after so many years and due to some of his life choices it kept him on the street,” she said.
“He didn’t ask for help and he didn’t always want help. All the agencies were aware of him.”
“May he now rest in peace, in a better place than the streets.”
The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be completed for the coroner.
Maidstone Borough Council held an emergency meeting about the death, postponing a discussion about its claim against Kent County Council over the Leeds-Langley bypass.