Train death victim was ‘true character’

FRIENDS of a former pub landlord believed to have died after being struck by a train last week have spoken of their ‘shock’ at his death.
Roy Chuter, pictured in 2008Roy Chuter, pictured in 2008
Roy Chuter, pictured in 2008

Roy Chuter, former landlord of the Duke of Wellington, in Brighton Road, Shoreham, was named locally as the victim of the incident, at East Worthing station, last Wednesday.

It happened at around 6am, with delays of 60 minutes experienced by commuters.

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A well-known fan of Brighton and Hove Albion, tributes have poured in from friends of Mr Chuter.

John Baine, one of his closest friends, said he was ‘utterly shocked’, and that friends had received a final letter from him.

He said: “He was one of my best friends. We shared countless pints, gigs, discussions, and we shared a love of football and the Albion.

“In the mid 90s, when we fans had to fight to save our club, he was there in the thick of everything, with his supreme intelligence, wit and humour, and was one of those who gave huge amounts of time and energy to the cause.”

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Mr Chuter was the first landlord at the pub when brewers Dark Star took over its running seven years ago.

Current landlord Brodie Dawson said he was a ‘larger than life’ character, who had an impressive knowledge of his beloved football club, Brighton and Hove Albion.

He said: “I knew him very well.

“He was an absolutely biblically knowledgeable Albion fan, while I was a Crystal Palace fan.

“He used to say, you are scum, but you are nice scum, which was why we got on so well.

“He was a very much loved character around Brighton and Shoreham and will be sorely missed.”

For the full tribute, see the Worthing and Shoreham Heralds, out Thursday, August 8.

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