Tributes paid to knife attack victim

Feb 22 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

A SOUTH Wales man has been stabbed to death in a block of public toilets.

Retired accountant Jeff Akers, 50, was stabbed in the back with a carving knife in the toilets in Walton Lane, Walton-on-Thames , Surrey, on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Akers, one of three brothers, was a former pupil at Barry Boys’ Comprehensive School.

Members of his family, including his father Peter and brother Richard, were today due to travel to Surrey.

Norman Pereira, who taught French at Barry Boys’, said: “I am shocked.

“I remember him well. He wasn’t a high flyer, but he was a very diligent, hard-working, pleasant boy. He was a very nice, serious-minded lad.

“Of all the thousands of pupils I taught, he is one I remember.”

Malcolm Scott, a former physical education teacher at Barry Boys’ Comprehensive School, said: “I remember him as a quiet, unassuming boy.”

A spokesman at the school said: “Obviously, we are saddened to hear of the death of a former pupil in such circumstances.”

Mr Akers’ brother Richard said: “I am protecting my parents at this difficult time and we have no comment to make.”

Mr Akers lived in Wallington, Surrey, with his partner of 22 years.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Wednesday at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

Mr Akers died from a single stab wound to the back. The weapon used was a large carving knife which was recovered from the scene.

A 29-year-old man from Walton -on-Thames is in custody at Newbury police station, having handed himself in just before noon yesterday. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Senior investigating officer, Det Chief Insp Mark Preston-Heard, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of the attack to contact us as they could hold vital information. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence and detectives do not need to know why callers were in the area at the time.

“A number are known to frequent the area such as those walking their dogs, parents with their children, or people going to there specifically to meet other people and we would like to hear from all those who were there.”

peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk