16-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF KILLING EX-LECTURER

Murder charge after former Bangor University dementia researcher found dead at his home:

A FORMER Bangor University lecturer has been found dead at his home.

The body of Dr Barry Hounsome was discovered at the bungalow he lived in Gosport, Hampshire.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Dr Hounsome died on Monday October 29 as a result of head injuries.

Police taped off the 54-year-old’s home, which he shared with his wife Natalia Hounsome, following his death.

A grey Skoda Octavia was removed from the property and photographs from the scene reveal the bungalow’s back window has been smashed.

Dr Hounsome lectured in health science and has conducted studies into diseases including Parkinson’s and dementia.

In July 2013, he was involved in a £1.2m project at Bangor University exploring how dementia supportive communities could benefit from creative arts.

Neighbour and friend of the couple, Walter Knight told the Mirror Online he has been left devastated by Dr Hounsome’s death.

Mr Knight said: “It’s such a shame what’s happened, the husband and wife were very lovely people.

“They were very nice people, they even got me a Christmas card every year.

“They were very quiet, but when you did speak to them you could tell they were very intelligent people.”

Another neighbour in his 50s, who didn’t wish to be named, said he is “heartbroken” after losing his ‘friend’ Dr Hounsome.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking you know, he wasn’t just a neighbour, he was a friend – him and his wife.

“They were such lovely and kind people who could never hurt a soul, I just don’t know how something like this could happen.

“I’m truly devastated by it all.”

It is understood Dr Hounsome carried out work at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Southampton General Hos- pital, Hants, during his time at the university.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “Detectives investigating the death of a man in Southcroft Road, Gosport, have charged a teenage boy.

Officers were called to an address shortly after 5.30pm on Monday 29 October where the body of 54-year-old Gosport man Barry Hounsome was discovered.”