Mark Franklin died in the Mile Cross home where he had grown up and where his parents had lived until their deaths a few years ago.

He was something of a "loner" who "kept himself pretty much to himself".

Mr Franklin worked in a shoe factory but was made redundant in his early 20s and had not worked since then after becoming unwell.

Norwich Evening News: Forensic teams searching bins in Appleyard Crescent, Mile CrossForensic teams searching bins in Appleyard Crescent, Mile Cross (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

He suffered from diabetes and regularly attended Woodcock Road surgery to have an ulcer on his leg dressed.

A practice nurse at the surgery said Mr Franklin, who was "unkempt", was often on his laptop looking at Ebay or Amazon while at the surgery.

The 58-year-old, who was a bit of a hoarder, tended to sleep during the day and go to the shops, on his electric bike, later in the day, normally to Lidl on Aylsham Road.

He ended up with his parents' house after they died, which caused something of a falling out with some of his other siblings.

Norwich Evening News: Part of Appleyard Crescent sealed off after the discovery of the body of Mark Franklin Part of Appleyard Crescent sealed off after the discovery of the body of Mark Franklin (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Giving evidence during the trial, a sister said Mr Franklin was "struggling for money" and had to have his gas cut off as he could not afford to heat the house.

She also told the court he had only one friend, Stephen Grimwood, who he had known for about 15 years and who would visit him two to three times a week.

The sister said he "kept taking money from Mark" and was told by her brother that Grimwood owed him about £3,500.

Grimwood had told police Mr Franklin used to like to gamble but stopped after his father passed away at the start of the coronavirus pandemic as he "couldn't afford to lose".

On Tuesday (January 3) Grimwood, of Shipfield, Norwich, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 18 years after being found guilty of Mr Franklin's murder.

Prior to his death, Mr Franklin had been to the doctors' on Monday, April 25 but did not attend medical appointments on April 27, 28 or 29 and could not be contacted despite repeated efforts.

Police were contacted and went to his address on the evening of April 29, when they found his body.

Norwich Evening News: Forensic teams searching bins after the discovery of Mark Franklin's body in Appleyard Crescent, Mile CrossForensic teams searching bins after the discovery of Mark Franklin's body in Appleyard Crescent, Mile Cross (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Such was the extent of the injuries to Mr Franklin's head that officers initially thought Mr Franklin had been shot.

Following his death neighbours of Mr Franklin described him as a "lovely geezer" who was "ever so friendly".