Stourbridge New Year's Day murder: Tributes paid to stab victim

It comes as an unemployed man appeared in court charged with his murder.

Jobless Daniel Jones, aged 33, is accused of killing 59-year-old neighbour Paul Tompkins in Forge Road, Wollaston.

Jones, of Forge Road, spoke only to confirm his name at Dudley Magistrates Court yesterday.

A post-mortem has revealed Mr Tompkins died from stab wounds, with a forensic tent remaining up at the property yesterday and a police presence still in place.

Scores of tributes have been paid online to Mr Tompkins, who friends knew as 'Tonka'.

Dom Farrington posted: "God bless him. Such a gentle soul."

While James Sibley Deakin wrote: "Sad world we live in."

Daz Whitehouse wrote: "When I first left home and went to live in a bedsit in Stourbridge, he lived with his mom and dad next door.

"He always used to come round listen to music, tell us stories. Summer of 93 has great memories for me."

Police were called to a flat in Forge Road just after 7pm on January 1 by a concerned neighbour.

Officers forced the door open but nothing could be done to save 59-year-old Mr Tompkins who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones was remanded in custody for a preliminary hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

Over the weekend residents spoke of their concern about the incident happening so close to home.

One woman, who lived opposite and did not want to named, said it was a 'huge shock'.

Detectives continue to appeal for information to help them determine the circumstances surrounding Mr Tompkins' death.

Detective Inspector Martin Slevin, from Force CID, urged people to help officers piece together the circumstances of the attack in the quiet cul-de-sac.

"We are still in the early stages of piecing together exactly what happened and would ask anyone with information to come forward and contact us," he said.

Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.