Road sweeper Edward Thorpe, fondly known as Eddie, was found dead at his home in Howard Street in Batley Carr last Thursday morning.

A post mortem revealed the 58-year-old died from serious head injuries.
A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder.

Richard Edward Thorpe appeared before Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates on Saturday.

The stunned Batley Carr community is coming to terms with the loss of a well-loved neighbour.

Within minutes the scene of the incident in Batley Carr was crawling with police officers and forensic teams.

Neighbours were asked to not let anyone into their homes as forensic investigations were carried out, as well as door to door inquiries.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the house in Howard Street at 6.30am.

Colin Burrows, Batley Carr Tenants and Residents' Association secretary, said: "The whole place was cordoned off. I went to pick someone up at about 7.20am and saw it. Nothing like this has happened here before.
"We are all still in shock."

He described some officers wearing white forensic clothing at the back of the house where Mr Thorpe's body was found.

Witnesses described a white police tent set up in the front garden.

Mr Burrows said: "A lot of people knew him and they are all saying it's a tragedy and that he was a very polite and decent guy. People are saying he never had a bad word for anybody.

"As secretary of the tenants and residents' association, members want to pay tribute to him. He never had any direct connections with the association but he was a member of the TRA because every resident of Batley Carr is automatically a member. The shock here is still there, it's still lingering.

"No-one can understand why this has happened. A lot of people have are saying how sorry they are."