Pavement dweller murdered in drunken brawl

The police said that J Brian Clarke (49), a pavement dweller, at the Foxen Street in Perambur was found dead near an apartment around 7.30 am on Tuesday. Passers-by found him lying unconscious with injuries on his head and alerted the police, who sent his body for post-mortem examination to the nearby GH.

According to the police, he allegedly told the other pavement dwellers that he was from Tiruchy and was not married. The police combed through the CCTV footage in front of the apartment and found that a man quarrelling with Brian Clarke. The suspect was identified as S Sekar (48), also a pavement dweller from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar at Perambur.

After registering a case, the Sembium police nabbed Sekar, who was working in a construction sitein Peravallur.

Investigation revealed that Sekar assaulted Brian on Monday morning as the latter did not give him money for alcohol the previous night. On Monday night, after consuming alcohol near a Tasmac shop, Brian allegedly slapped Sekar. “Following this, Sekar followed Brian and hit his head with a stone,” said the police.

The Sembium police arrested Sekar on charges of murder and remanded him in judicial custody. Further investigation is on.