Detectives investigating
the death of a man whose body was found in the Westbourne area of
Bournemouth are appealing for witnesses, information and passing
members of the public to come forward.
Officers are appealing to passing
motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to come forward in confidence
if they saw any unusual or suspicious activity in the vicinity of
Marks & Spencer on Seamoor Road in Westbourne between 2am and
3am on Friday, 8 May 2009.
Detectives would also like to speak
with anyone who saw or spoke with the victim, 41-year-old Big Issue
salesman Ralph Millward, after 10pm on Thursday, 7 May 2009.
Detective Inspector Jez Noyce of
the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team is leading the
investigation into the death of Mr Millward.
Detective Inspector Jez Noyce said:
"I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the
area between 2am and 3am on the morning of Friday, 8 May.
"I understand that a number of
people may have been in the area of the Marks & Spencer store
around the time of Mr Millward’s death and I would like to speak
with these people.
"I am appealing for anyone who was
travelling through the Seamoor Road area - which includes Seamoor
Road, Prince Of Wales Road and Poole Road in Westbourne - to
contact me urgently.
"Whether you were walking, cycling,
driving or perhaps even a passenger in a car, there is every
possibility that you may have information that may help with this
investigation.
"Incidents such as this are
extremely unusual in Westbourne and I am sure that if anyone
noticed any untoward behaviour or out of the ordinary activity it
would have stuck in their minds.
"I would also like to speak with
anyone who had any contact with Mr Millward after 10pm last
Thursday, 7 May 2009. Mr Millward was a well-known Big Issue seller
in the Westbourne area and it could be that a number of people saw,
or spoke, with him late on Thursday night or early on Friday
morning.
"All calls will be treated in the
strictest confidence and I am interested in any information, no
matter how unimportant or insignificant it may seem."
Mr Millward’s body was found just
after 7am on Friday, 8 May 2009 on the pavement outside the Marks
& Spencer store on Seamoor Road in Westbourne.
Officers immediately attended and a
cordon was put in place to preserve the scene for forensic
examination.
A forensic post-mortem on Mr
Millward's body by Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue at
Winchester Hospital on Friday, 8 May 2009, established that he had
died as a result of injuries sustained in an attack.
One 14-year-old boy and two
16-year-old boys have been charged with murder and appeared before
Poole Youth Court yesterday, Monday, 11 May 2009. All three were
remanded in custody to reappear before the same court on Monday, 18
May 2009.
Detectives are not looking for
anyone else in connection with the incident.
Witnesses and anyone with information should contact
Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222 222 or the free and
anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone
tariffs may apply.