Witness appeal after two bodies found

DETECTIVES are continuing to investigate the mystery deaths of two Great Yarmouth men and the disappearance of a 30-year-old man, who is understood to have links to the two men.

Police have named the two men found dead at their garage workshop in Camden Place, Great Yarmouth as Jim Hall and Andy Ventham and have launched a public appeal for information about the disappearance of Derick Tempest, who it is known had visited the two men.

The bodies of the two men were discovered at the garage on Monday , after apparently committing suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Officers were called shortly after lunchtime after a 999 call from a member of the public who had gone to the premises.

Curious neighbours gathered outside as the area was sealed off by police tape and scenes-of-crime officers began a painstaking investigation.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 1.21pm. We had two ambulances and two officers on the scene. Two patients were in respiratory arrest. We did attempt resuscitation but were not successful. They were deceased at the scene.”

James Childs, who runs a newsagent's in nearby Camden Road, said both men, who had motorbikes, used to come in his shop most days and one had been in this morning.

“They were two nice fellows and I got on well with them,” he said.

Post mortem examinations have been completed and further tests are being carried out to determine the exact cause of death. Formal identifications of both men were made on Wednesday night.

Det Chief Insp Rick Munns confirmed Mr Tempest knew them and it was believed he had visited their business premises on the afternoon of his disappearance.

As police stepped up the forensic examination of the terrace home Mr Hall and Mr Ventham shared in Queen's Road, within walking distance o the garage, DCI Munns said: “It would be inappropriate to speculate on the purpose of that visit at this time.”

Mr Hall and Mr Ventham were both keen bikers and are believed to be aged in their 60s and 50s respectively.

A mechanic at the nearby Pertwee and Back garage said Mr Hall regularly used to come in to get tyres. The mechanic, who did not wish to be named, said: “He always seemed nice and polite. He was huge into his bikes and rode one on Saturdays on the roads around here.”

Regulars at the nearby Albert Tavern pub in Southgates Road spoke of their shock at the pair's death and said Mr Hall was well-known as a regular drinker at pubs in the area.

One regular, who did not wish to be named, said: “He was a really nice guy, but he was quite tough. He knew how to look after himself.”

The missing man's mother Lesley Tempest, 50 and partner Sarah Sherfield, 28, joined in the impassioned plea for help to find Derick Tempest, describing his disappearance as completely out of character.

Mrs Tempest, of Middle Market Road, said she feared the worst as the days went on since her son was last seen in the Blackfriars Road area last Wednesday at 1.30pm.

Miss Sherfield, issued an emotional plea from the Nottingham Way home she shared with Mr Tempest and their three children- Regan, 6, Charlie, 3, and five-month-old Reece.

Jobless Mr Tempest grew up in Yarmouth and worked as a technician for an offshore company on the Harfreys Industrial Estate until about 18 months ago.

Miss Sherfield said: “Derek has never done anything like this before. If anyone has any information can they please go to the police.”

She said she was aware Derick had recently been to see Mr Hall and Mr Ventham at both their garage in Camden Place and their Queen's Road home.

Richard Brooking, 31, was one of several friends of Mr Tempest. He said that the missing man knew both dead men and had visited the garage on the morning of his disappearance.

Mr Brooking, who has known Mr Tempest for 17 years, said: said: “There is no way Derick would run away. It just isn't in him to do that and leave Sarah and his children.”

Mr Tempest was last seen at 4pm in the Blackfriars Road area last Wednesday. He is about 6ft tall, with short light brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a dark brown/khaki jacket, white trainers and a white baseball cap.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Yarmouth police on 0845 4564567 of Crimestopper anonymously 0800 555111.

Did you know Mr Hall and Mr Ventham? Would you like to pay tribute to them? Call Dominic Bareham on 01493 847956.

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