The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Police treat death of man found in flat as ‘suspicious’
Investigation: Special plea to members of city’s Polish community
Detectives investigating the death of a Polish man whosebodywasdiscovered in an Aberdeen flathave revealed the incident is being treated as “suspicious”.
The 49- year- old was found in temporary accommodation for the homeless at Balnagask Avenue in the city’sTorry district onMonday afternoon.
The victim, who was last seen in the area around 9am on Monday, is understood to have suffered stab wounds.
A resident of supported accommodation for the homeless, heis described as 5ft 10in, wearing dark clothes and with facial hair.
Last night, police appealed to anyone who was in Torry around that time who thinks they may have seesomething out of the ordinary to come forward.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, described the victim as looking like someone who was “down on his luck”.
He said: “I used to see himgoing about pickingup cigarette ends off the ground – I tried to speak to him, but he didn’t speak very good English. Sometimes I would offer him a cigarette.
“He seemed like someone who was down on his luck. Now that I know it was him who was found dead, I am quite shocked – he didn’t seem like someone who would have been caught up in anything.
“I heard that a knife had been found in bushes near the flats.”
The area around the flat where the grim discovery was made remained cordoned off yesterday.
At midday, officers wearing blue gloves and carrying wooden poles began emptying bins and inspecting drying areas. Hayley Munro, 22, a stay-at-home mum who only recently moved to the area, said: “This is normally a very quiet street so for something like this to happen is a bit of a shock, and it’s really quite scary.”
Until yesterday,
officers had described the death as unexplained. Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith wouldnot reveal the nature of the victim’s injuries.
Apost-mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon.
He said: “The man’s movements are of great interest to us, as are his associations. Our appeal is to the community to come forward with any information theyhave that they feel may be of benefit.
“Ifanyoneis awareofany incidents at the address which they believe may be of relevance, then I would appeal to them tocomeforward.”
DCI Smith made a plea to any members of the Polish community who may have information to get in touch. Inquiries are currently under way to trace and inform the victim’s next of kin. Plans for a £107million hotel, office and retail development in the heart of Aberdeen have been recommended by city council planners.
A report for ameeting next week has backed the proposals from Muse Developments Ltd for the site of the former council headquarters at St Nicholas House.
Over 1,200 people signed a petition urging councillors to have a rethink over theMarischal Square project. A hearing also heard from a number of objectors, including Aberdeen Civic Society, which urged councillors to “cherish” the city’s architectural heritage. But the application won the backing of Historic Scotland.
Itarguedthe setting of A-listed gems such as Provost Skene’s House, Greyfriars John Knox Church and Marischal College could be “positively transformed” by the new development.
Council head of planning Margaret Bochel has recommended the scheme for approval.
But the issue of pedestrianising Broad Street, which prompted retailer John Lewis and the owners of nearby shopping centres to object to the application, has been bypassed.
The report says planning permission is not needed to close the road between Queen Street and Upperkirkgate, and as such “will not be considered” in the assessment of the application.