Police not treating death of Norfolk man as suspicious

Emergency services, including police and ambulance, were called to Napoleon Place, Great Yarmouth, following a concern for safety.

Police in Napoleon Place, Great Yarmouth (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)The body of a man, who has been named locally as Clive Benson, a window cleaner, was found inside the property on Saturday, September 22.

The death had been treated as “unexplained” but following enquiries by police a force spokesman said: “This has been declared as non-suspicious and file being prepared for the coroner.”

People living near to Mr Benson have described how they contacted police after becoming worried because they had not seen him for some time.

Police at Napoleon Place, Great Yarmouth (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)A 72-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, said another neighbour had asked if she had seen Clive.

That woman was “concerned” as she had not seen him and had been knocking at his door.

The neighbour, who also had not seen him for a few days, called police who asked her to check if there was unopened mail as well as his work van which was parked nearby.

While she was on the phone to police another neighbour tried the door, which was unlocked, and her husband, 74, saw his body on the floor.

Police at Napoleon Place, Great Yarmouth (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Police and ambulance crews were dispatched and forensics teams also later arrived.

The woman said she was shocked.

She said: “He was very friendly – if you wanted anything he always helped.

“He was just a nice guy.

“He was just absolutely brilliant.”

Her 75-year-old husband said Mr Benson, who used to work as a doorman in the town, usually “kept himself to himself” but could “talk for England”.

He said: “He was a proper, proper nice and decent fella. A nice man. He was a lovely guy, a fabulous guy.”