Identity revealed of man’s body found in city centre

May 15 2008 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

THE body found in Chester city centre on Thursday, May 22 was a homeless man who died less than 24 hours after coming out of prison.

Andrew Todd, 24, who was originally from the Runcorn area, had been in Chester since March and had stayed at Crispin House homeless shelter, Nicholas Street from April 22-25.

He admitted a charge of theft at Chester Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison on May 13 but was released on bail on May 14.

His body was discovered huddled against a wall under a blanket with empty bottles by his side. He was known to have a drink problem.

Police spokesman Rachel Hayes confirmed that officers attended the scene, a car park at Heritage Court, Lower Bridge Street, at 7.55am.

Staff arriving for work were told to park their cars elsewhere while police removed his body, which was formally identified by his ex-wife later that day.

One office worker commented that there is a persistent problem in the car park, which is semi-covered, caused by homeless people making their beds there for the night and urinating against the walls.