Club pays tribute to murder victim

The president of the Brickcroft Social Club, where murder victim Peter Hopwood was a committee member for 30 years, has described him as a “great asset.”

Mr Hopwood, 67, was found by staff from the Salvation Army on High Street on Sunday night with head injuries. He was taken to hospital but later died.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Hopwood was walking home from the Social Club when the incident happened.

Pauline Doolan, President of the Brickcroft Social Club, said: “Peter was a respected member of the club having served 30 years as a committee member and a trustee of the club.

“He was a very private man, who every one knew and a great asset to the club over the years.

“He will be a great loss to the club, his friends and the committee of the club.

“My heart is with his family.”