Grieving mother pays tribute to murdered son (From Watford Observer)

Grieving mother pays tribute to murdered son

3:45pm Saturday 27th February 2010 in News By Alex Barham

THE elderly mother of murder victim Gary Bennett, whose body was discovered in Aldenham Country Park this week, has paid tribute to the son she described as a 'gentle giant'.

Mr Bennett, 46, was found dead with severe head injuries on Wednesday morning by teenage schoolchildren.

His 80-year-old mother Alice, with whom he lived in Little Oxhey Lane, South Oxhey, said: "Everyone was very fond of Gary and he was well liked in the local area.

"He was very generous and always made sure I had everything I needed. “He also had a good sense of humour and was always ready for a joke and a hug.

"He was a very homely person who liked to be with his family. He liked to watch television and really enjoyed the older comedians such as Ronnie Barker.

“We are so shocked and sad about what has happened to Gary. He was a gentle giant who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Gary was born in Blackford Road, South Oxhey, where he lived until he was two, before moving with the rest of his family to Little Oxhey Lane, on the fringe of Harrow Weald, where he had lived alone with his mother ever since.

He was a former pupil at both Woodhall and Colnbrook School, where in the latter years of his education he worked part-time at British Beef as an assistant abattoir.

On leaving school, the company offered him a full-time position, and he continued to work there for five years.

Later on in life, Gary worked in the mail room for British Rail in Watford. In 1997 Gary became a refuse collector for Watford Borough Council and was based at the waste depot in Wiggenhall Road.

On the day Gary's body was found, he was wearing a yellow high visibility jacket, grey cargo bottoms and black boots – his work uniform – and the council believe he would have been on his way to work when he left his home at about 5am.

Gary also leaves behind his sister Janet, 54, and his brother Keith 51. Gary’s father, Albert, died ten years ago.

The family have fond memories of holidays with Gary while he was growing up, enjoying caravanning in the Isle of Wight and Jersey. Gary and his close family had planned to holiday together this year. He would also take regular day trips to Eastbourne and Brighton with his mum.

Police are pursuing a line of inquiry that Mr Bennett knew his killer.

Leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Mick Hanlon, of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “We are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that can help us establish what happened on Wednesday morning.

“We know that Gary left his home in Little Oxhey Lane at around 5am and for reasons unknown at this stage, his body was found in Aldenham Country Park.

“We are keen to track Gary’s last movements and are appealing to anyone who saw him after he left home, or saw anyone fitting his description or anything suspicious in the vicinity.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who knew Gary and has been in contact with him over the past week."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police incident room on 01707 355 959 or call Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111.