A man has told how he was arrested on suspicion of murder after turning up at a friend's flat moments before police arrived and discovered a dead body inside.
Craig Townsend, 37, had gone to Elvis Vickers' property on Mousehold Street, Norwich, on Saturday night to hand over £20 he owed him.
He knocked on the door and gave the money to his friend.
But as he walked away, several police vehicles drew up and officers got out and bundled him to the ground.
They placed him in handcuffs and arrested him on suspicion of murder.
"It was crazy and I had no idea what on earth was going on or what was happening," he said.
"The shouting and screams from the police when they stormed passed me and entered the flat is something I am never going to forget," he said.
"There was then lots of shouting and carnage and everything just froze for me, such pure shock and confusion.
"Then suddenly the cavalry arrived and there was crazy panic, floods of emergency services arriving it was frantic and mental, surreal, so so so many police cars."
Inside, officers found the body of a man who has been provisionally named as Abdulkadar Chadli, 48. Neighbours say he lived in the property next door and was an offshore worker.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Chadi had died of a stab wound to the chest.
Officers also arrested Vickers, 46, who was at the address.
Mr Townsend, who says he did not go inside the flat, was taken to Wymondham police station, where he was held for 20 hours.
He was later released on unconditional bail until January pending further enquiries.
Vickers was charged with murder and appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he was formally remanded in custody.
He will be appearing at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday for a further hearing.
Mr Townsend, who served for four years in the Queen's Guard, a part of the army's Household Division who guard the monarch, said his experience had left him "traumatised".
"I was arrested for being incredibly unlucky to have rocked up at such a moment. If I had left my home ten minutes earlier or later I still would have had £20 in my pocket too."
He said he had gone to the flat from his nearby home at around 10.15pm on Friday to walk his two dogs, Humbug and Bina, and pay back £20 to Vickers for some tobacco he had bought.
READ MORE: Trio will stand trial accused of Mile Cross murder next year
READ MORE: Man interviewed over fatal Paragon Place stabbing in Norwich
The death has caused shockwaves in the area.
Adam Mahmat, 19, said: "It is just crazy, I can’t believe this has happened on my doorstep.
“When I saw the police I did wonder what had happened but never expected somebody to have been killed."
Jade Bett, 29, said: "It is scary and concerning. It’s not really a surprise that this has happened because there are a lot of problems in this area.
"It’s becoming the new normal for Norwich and it’s scary.
“It’s like living in London because of all the problems that are going around here now.
"As a parent, it is really concerning because no children deserve to be exposed to such behaviour.”
Oliver Payne was stabbed to death in Paragon Place in August and his killer is still at large.
The following month, the body of 19-year-old Kalvin Taylor from London was found in a flat in Mile Cross. He had been stabbed eight days earlier.
Within two weeks, three people were charged with his murder.
Police have said there is no connection between the killings.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel