'Colourful character...' with explosive arsenal

NEIGHBOURS PAY TRIBUTE TO 'LOVELY MAN' WHOSE DEATH LED TO EVACUATION OF HUNDREDS OF HOMES

- By BEN HASLAM ECHO Correspondent

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “lovely man” whose death sparked a bomb squad investigation and hundreds of people to be evacuated.

John Nelson was found dead at his home on Chadwick Road in St Helens on Monday, June 23.

Merseyside Police attended and the following day officers discovered what was believed to be an unexploded ordnance device. In the days that followed, the army’s explosive ordnance disposal team worked with Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and North West Ambulance Service to search the house and garden, resulting in the discovery of several explosives, firearms and booby traps.

The 64-year-old man, who lived alone with his Alsatian dog Lola, was described by neighbours as a “colourful character” and in the days that followed an outpouring of love towards John, better known as Spike, was seen across social media.

One woman, who asked not to be named, told the ECHO how he was a “lovely man” who cared greatly for his dog.

Mark Kendrick was at home with his daughter on Chadwick Road when she came down to tell him the cordon was in place on Tuesday afternoon.