Police investigate as poster campaign brands six youths as 'murderers'

POLICE have begun an investigation after posters naming six West Somerset youths under the heading ‘Minehead Murderers’ were found displayed in several areas of the town.
The six young people were all questioned by police earlier this year during inquiries into the killing of Minehead gardener Tim Chilcott (pictured), aged 36.
Mr Chilcott was attacked in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday, January 20, and died 36 hours later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, after being on a life support machine.
Daniel Cain, then aged 16, of Porlock, and Sean Wylds, 20, of Minehead, were originally arrested on suspicion of Mr Chilcott’s murder but were only charged with the reduced offence of manslaughter.
An Exeter Crown Court jury found them guilty in July of the alcohol-fuelled killing and both were later sentenced to three years in custody - Cain to serve his sentence in young offenders’ institution because of his age, while Wylds went to prison.
Now, Fred and Sylvia Chilcott - Tim’s parents - have expressed their disappointment and regret at the posters which have appeared in the town with references to their beloved son.
They appealed for those responsible for the posters to stop their campaign and let Tim’s memory to ‘live in peace’.
Police appealed for anybody with information about the posters to contact Taunton Police Station on 0845 456 7000, or to use the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively a secure Crimestoppers contact form was available at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.