Braintree neighbour was “unlawfully killed”

AN INQUEST into the death of Richard Wight, who was found in his home with stab wounds, has concluded he was unlawfully killed.

Mr Wight, 55, and Alan Taylor, 59, were discovered at their homes in Eagle Lane, Braintree on January 15.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Wight’s body showed that he died from stab wounds. Tests on Mr Taylor concluded he died from natural causes.

It is understood the men were involved in a long-running disputes over parking and blocked drains. It is also been suggested Mr Wight was going to report Mr Taylor after he discovered child abuse images on his computer.

DCI Mark Hall of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “This was a difficult investigation given that both the victim, Richard Wight, and the offender, Alan Taylor, were dead.

“We will perhaps never know what brought things to a head on that day in January, 2012.

“Whatever the history and ongoing disputes in Eagle Lane, this was a brutal and wholly unjustified attack, which led to the tragic loss of Richard Wight’s life.”