Neighbours ‘shocked’ as police launch murder probe into Hither Green death

BY JAMES TWOMEY
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A man who was found dead in his flat has been described as “100 per cent class” and had “nothing bad about him”.

Barrington Davis, 54, was discovered by police on May 16 in his flat in Torridon Road, Hither Green.

A murder investigation was launched three days later as the police initially did not think the death was suspicious.

Once Mr Davis had been taken to the mortuary on May 19 he was found to have multiple stab wounds and the post-mortem confirmed this was the cause of death.

John Ingham, 53, is one of the four residents in the house Mr Davis was found in, and said it came as a complete shock as he only found out once the police arrived.

“I’m completely shocked, I have no idea what happened to him,” said Mr Ingham. “He was nice fella. “He’d always say hello and loved his radio – Bob Marley and that. But he didn’t really chat that much.  If he saw you he’d chat but I didn’t know him so well.”

One of Mr Davis’ next-door neighbours, Jared Jones, said he knew him quite well and that “he wouldn’t harm a fly”.

Mr Jones said: “He was an early bird, I would always see him around seven or eight in the morning going out for a walk, he loved to walk.

He convinced me to start walking to work. I used to drive but he told me to pack it in and get the bus or walk. “I’m massively surprised as he just kept himself to himself.”

Another next door neighbour called Luke said: “It’s come as a complete shock. It’s a quiet street so you don’t expect it. But people don’t really talk to each other on this street. That’s a problem.”

The property that Mr Davis was found dead in is owned by housing association London and Quadrant who own more than 95,000 properties in London.

An L&Q spokeswoman said: “L&Q takes the safety of its residents extremely seriously and will always work closely with the authorities in the event of any investigation.”

A 39-year-old man was arrested on May 18 on suspicion of murder. He has since been bailed to return to a police station on a date in mid-June.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8721 4005.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or tweet information to police via @MetCC.