Former town councillor dies from stab wound

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

by Anders Larsson & Paul Crompton

A PROMINENT Honiton business figure and former town councillor has died following a suspected stabbing.
Businessman Michael Bithrey died from the stab wound he sustained while in Bridgwater, Somerset, a post mortem has revealed.
The 72-year-old grandfather died shortly after being airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, following the ‘altercation’ at around 11am on Thursday, June 21st.
An 83-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Mr Bithrey was married with four children. He owned Bithrey Holdings, based in Bithrey House, King Street, Honiton.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We can confirm the identity of the man who was stabbed in an incident in Bridgwater last week as 72-year-old Michael Bithrey.
“A man, aged 83, arrested on suspicion of murder, remains under police supervision.”
In a previous statement issued shortly after the incident, the spokesperson said: “Police have confirmed the death of a man following an incident in Bridgwater is being treated as murder.
“A man in his 70s died following an altercation with another man on Thursday morning in the Chilton Street area of the town at about 10.50am.
“The injured man was taken by air ambulance to Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital but he died later. A post mortem has confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound.”
A person answering the phone at Bithrey Holdings Ltd on Monday, June 25th said the company would not comment or make a statement.
Town councillor Vivienne Ash said she had known Mr Bithrey through various business dealings.
She said: “I knew him from business dealings years ago and obviously he was a prominent figure in the town. It very sad news.
“You don’t expect that sort of thing to happen to anybody you know. I don’t know the full details, I just heard it was a stabbing, it is just so unexpected.”
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who may have information to help their enquiries.
Anyone with information should contact Taunton CID on 101.

Email: pulmans@tindlenews.co.uk

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