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.

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.

Teenagers face manslaughter charges after Minehead attack man dies

TWO of three teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a Minehead man in a street fight at the weekend were appearing in court today, Tuesday, January 22.
Nineteen-year-old Sean Wylds, of Minehead, and a 16-year-old youth who cannot be named because the law protects the identity of those under 18 years, were facing reduced charges of manslaughter as they appeared before magistrates in Taunton.
They had been held in custody at Minehead Police Station since Monday, when 36-year-old Tim Chilcott (pictured) died from injuries he received in the incident.
A third youth, aged 18 years, was also held in custody but was later released on police bail pending furter inquiries.
Mr Chilcott suffered serious head injuries in an attack which was thought to have started outside Minehead's Wellington Hotel and then continued through The Parade and into Blenheim Road, where he collapsed unconscious at about 1 am on Sunday.
He was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where he was put on a life support machine, but he died at mid-day on Monday.
Mr Chilcott, who was a self-employed gardener, lived in the Periton area of Minehead. His parents live in Hillview Close, Minehead.
A Home Office pathologist was due later today to carry out a post mortem on Mr Chilcott at Southmead Hospital, in Bristol, to determine how he died.

Murdered man was Minehead gardener

THE man murdered in a Minehead street brawl at the weekend was has been revealed as 36-year-old Tim Chilcott (pictured).
Mr Chilcott, who was a self-employed gardener, lived in the Periton area of the town.
His parents, Fred and Sylvia Chiclott, live in Hillview Close, Minehead.
Mr Chilcott, who was single, also had a brother, Kevin, and a sister, Heather.
He is thought to have been stabbed during a fight in the early hours of Sunday, January 20, which started in Wellington Square and continued into The Parade and into Blenheim Road, where he collapsed with serious head injuries.
Mr Chilcott was kept on a life support machine in Musgrove Park Hospital, where he died at about mid-day today (Monday).
Detectives investigating his murder have now arrested three teenagers on suspicion of Mr Chilcott’s murder.
The trio, aged 19, 18, and 16 years, were taken into custody at Minehead Police Station.
An appeal for witnesses who may have been in and around the Blenheim Road or town centre area shortly after midnight on Sunday has been made by the police.
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 murder was an isolated incident and that Minehead generally was a safe place in which to live.

Teenagers arrested on Minehead murder charges

THREE teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a man in Minehead during a street brawl in the early hours of yesterday, Sunday, January 20.
The trio, aged 19, 18, and 16 years were taken into custody in Minehead Police Station today (pictured).
The man, aged 36, died from his injuries in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, at about mid-day today.
He had been found unconscious at about 1 am on Sunday in Blenheim Road, Minehead, and was believed to have been stabbed during a fight which started in Wellington Square and continued into The Parade and into Blenheim Road, where he collapsed.
He suffered head injuries which resulted in him being put onto a life support machine in hospital.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have been in and around the Blenheim Road or The Avenue area of Minehead shortly after midnight on Sunday to come forward.
Det Chief Inspector Martyn Triggol said: “Although we have three people in custody, I am very keen to speak to anybody who may have been in the area or might have come out of the Wellington public house near the time of the incident.
“We are also keen to trace people who may have spoken to the occupants of a dark coloured, three-door car around Wellington Square shortly after the incident.”
Police are also reassuring residents that the murder was an isolated incident and the police need the community’s assistance to help the investigation.
Det Chief Insp Triggol said: “We realise that incidents like this shock what is a tight knit community in Minehead.
“Incidents like this are very rare, but I would appeal for anybody who has any information to help inquiries, however small, to come forward and speak to police.
“Minehead remains a very safe place, but the community can help us best by telling us what they might have witnessed and seen on Sunday morning.”
Anybody who can help is asked to contact Taunton CID on 0845 4567000 or Criemstoppers on 0800 555111.