Family speak of sorrow and shock at son's killing

THE family of Minehead man Tim Chilcott have expressed their shock and disbelief at his killing in a street fight in the town at the weekend.

Mr Chilcott (pictured), a single man aged 36, suffered severe head injuries when he was attacked in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday, January 20.

He died 36 hours later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where he had been on a life support machine.

Three teenagers were arrested by police on suspicion of his murder, but one, aged 18, was given bail pending further inquiries, while the other two, aged 19 and 16 years, were charged instead with his manslaughter.

Mr Chilcott's elderly parents, Fred and Sylvia Chilcott, have now spoken to The Post about their feelings after being told what had happened.

They said the whole family - Tim also had a brother, Kevin, and a sister, Heather - were 'very upset' and could not believe it.

Mrs Chilcott said they were 'just sad and shocked' by the tragedy and unable to fully express their emotions publicly.

She posed the question: "Why?"

Mrs Chilcott said: "Why did this have to happen."

She said the family were at a loss to understand how their Tim could have been killed in such a brutal manner.

One friend who had known Tim Chilcott, a self-employed gardener, for more than 20 years described him as 'a bit of a loner' and not somebody to be involved in any trouble.

The friend said: "He did his work and went and had a pint, that was Tim Chilcott. He was not part of any trouble-making group or anything like that.

"He was just out and had been for a few drinks and was walking home when this happens.

"It is unbelievable that something like this can happen to a nice guy like Tim on our streets."

Police have appealed for witnesses who may have been in and around the Blenheim Road or town centre area shortly after midnight on Sunday.

They especially want to talk to anybody who may have left the Wellington Hotel near the time of the incident or may have spoken to the occupants of a dark coloured, three-door car around Wellington Square shortly afterwards.

Anybody who can help is asked to contact Taunton CID on 0845-4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

Det Chief Insp Martyn Triggol, who is leading the inquiry has reassured residents that the Mr Chilcott's killing was an isolated incident and that Minehead generally was a safe place in which to live.