Elimus James

Elimus James died following an assault in Laurel Gardens, Hanwell.

He was found penniless and bleeding in Laurel Gardens at 2am on 23 June 1985. He was initially taken to Ealing Hospital but then transferred to Charing Cross Hospital where he lapsed into a coma before dying on 2 July 1985.

He died from brain haemorrhage. It was stated that his injuries, cuts, blows and a fractured skull, were all in keeping with an assault.

It was reported that all he said whilst in hospital was:

When he was earlier question by a detective, he said:

Elimus James had lived alone in Sedgeford Road, Shepherds Bush and had been a tube train shunter at Ruislip. He was born in Grenada and had come to England in 1958.

He was described as a respectable man with a gentle nature.

He was last seen after a family party in Ealing. He had been dropped off in Uxbridge Road by Hanwell bus garage around midnight by a relative who he told he was going to have a good time. It was said that he had been sober, but unclear about where he was going.

He was later discovered by a passing driver at 2am in Laurel Gardens at the junction with Station Road. It was initially heard that the police had been uncertain whether he had been knocked down by a car or assaulted. The police also said that it was unclear why his injuries were so bad.

However, on 19 July 1975 the police announced they were launching a murder hunt after discovering what was described as a vital clue, that being his bus pass, which was found on a railway embankment 300 yards away from where he was found in Laurel Gardens.

The police appealed for anyone that had seen him between the time he was dropped off at midnight by Hanwell Bus Garage and the time he was found in Laurel Gardens to come forward.

Information from a motorist pin-pointed the time of the attack as between 1.30 and 2am.

He was described as a West Indian, wearing a dark brown jacket, light blue corduroy trousers, an orange and white striped shirt, light brown shoes and carrying an umbrella. He had been about 5ft 7in tall and had dark skin and hair.

The police said that it appeared that his killer or killers had taken some property from him and then dumped what they didn't want as they made their getaway. Only a small amount of ash was left in his pockets.

His brother, who had lived in Scotts Road, Southall, said:

His inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

The Coroner said: