News / Crime
Man jailed for hiding body
A man from Patchway has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after being convicted of illegally moving and hiding the body of a Royal Navy veteran so a cannabis factory could be set up in his home.
40-year old Paul Jackson moved the body of his neighbour, Nicholas Clark, after he died of natural causes, concealing it under debris in a yard behind a former gym in Gloucester Road, Patchway.
The 63-year-old’s remains were found wrapped in tarpaulin when the yard was cleared in April 2015. He was identified by a steel pin attached to his hip following an operation.
Police investigations also found that Jackson had been taking money from Nick’s account after his death.
Nick’s family responded to the sentence in a statement released by police: “It’s devastating to know that Nick’s body was treated with such crudeness. The lack of respect shown by the perpetrators is beyond comprehension.
“Nick was a lonely man who relied on the support of his neighbours and friends. He was a man who served his country in the Royal Navy and he was a man who should have left his time on Earth with dignity.
“While Nick may have died in natural circumstances, the actions of the perpetrators to move his body from the home he loved and leave it in the backyard of a disused shop, showed a complete lack of respect for any human being, let alone someone classed as a friend.”
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Mike Williams added: “Nick Clark was a former helicopter engineer with the Royal Navy who served from 1967 to 1981.
He deserved respect for loyally serving his country but after he died from natural causes, his so-called friend and neighbour treated his body like a piece of rubbish.”
Jackson’s friend Anthony Whillier, of Royal Victoria Park, Bristol, was sentenced to a two-year suspended jail term after admitting cannabis production, as well as 240 hours of unpaid work.
Read more: 12 years for dealer caught with drugs and gun
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