Clive Wyard: Murder probe launched a year after Ipswich grandfather's death

Clive Wyard was 74 when he died. Credit: Suffolk Police

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder - a year after the death of a grandfather who was found collapsed outside his Ipswich home.

Retired dock worker Clive Wyard was discovered on his driveway on the morning of July 20 last year.

The 74-year-old had injuries to his head and face, including black eyes, a split cleft lip, a deep cut to his cheek and other cuts to his body. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital where he died 12 days later.

Mr Wyard had left the Royal George pub on Colchester Road shortly after midnight, embarking on the 20-minute walk home to Valley Road.

A post mortem concluded he died as a result of a severe head injury, having suffered a skull fracture and a bleed on the brain.

Norfolk and Suffolk's Major Investigation Team said that after an "exhaustive inquiry" it is now being treated as murder.

A 32-year-old man from Ipswich, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released under investigation.

Officers are renewing appeals for anyone with information about Mr Wyard’s death to come forward.

They want to hear from anyone who may have seen him walking along Colchester Road or Valley Road and any witnesses who believe they saw anyone else along this route, or acting suspiciously in the vicinity of his home near the roundabout junction with Westerfield Road.

Detective Inspector Lewis Craske said police were determined to "bring closure for his family and uncover the truth of what happened".

  • Clive Wyard’s final movements between 19 and 20 July 2018:

  • He had been at the Royal George pub on Colchester Road on the evening of Thursday 19 July, which was something he regularly did on a Thursday night to meet friends and play darts.

  • He left on foot between 12.15am and 12.20am on Friday 20 July and was captured on CCTV a few minutes later walking past a property further along Colchester Road, in the direction of Sidegate Lane West.

  • There is then further CCTV footage of him walking along Valley Road at 12.37am and at this point he had only about another 200 yards to go until he reached his home. The entire distance from the Royal George to his property is just under one mile.

  • Mr Wyard was white, 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, with grey hair and a grey goatie beard. He was wearing jeans and a light grey zip hooded top.

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team online or by calling 101 and quoting Op Rufforth.

  • Alternatively contact the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org