WIVELISCOMBE was reeling this week after two men were charged with murder following the death of a “loving caring family man”.

Jason Lock, 56, who lived with his fiancée and family in Stockers Close, Wiveliscombe, died in Southmead Hospital Bristol, last Wednesday, following an incident the previous evening, after failing to regain consciousness.

This week, neighbours described Mr Lock, who worked for local firm EPS Services and Tooling, as “a lovely and kind man who couldn’t have been nicer and would help anyone”.

On Monday, Daniel Bond, 34 and 37-year-old Lee Conlon, both of Clairmont Crescent, Weston-super-Mare, appeared at Bristol Crown Court charged with Mr Lock’s murder.

Judge Martin Picton remanded both men in custody pending a plea and trial preparation hearing at the court on June 16.

Mr Lock’s grieving family, which includes his fiancée, two grandchildren, a brother, sister and three half-sisters, are being supported by specialist family liaison police officers.

Fiancée Mandy Lockyer said: “We had known each other since we were children and had been together as a couple for 16 years. This has left a huge hole in my life and the lives of a lot of other people.

“We are all absolutely devastated. All our plans have gone in a heartbeat. Jason was a fantastic person. He was loving and caring. I miss him so much and don’t know how I will go on without him. “We were so happy in our own little bubble.”

Miss Lockyer added that friends and neighbours had been “fantastic, kind and caring and we are all offering comfort to each other. To be taken away in such tragic circumstances is so unfair. Jason didn’t deserve this”.

One resident said: “The town is talking about little else. I’m in total shock. This is such a nice, peaceful town. I still can’t believe something like this could happen here. It is very out of character for this community.”