EDWIN PITKIN: Neighbour says he was a very nice man

4:31pm Friday 25th April 2008

EDWIN Pitkin, who was cleared of all charges today after stabbing a man to death, has been described by a neighbour of 20 years as a "very nice man".

Mr Pitkin, 58, a builder and father-of-two, has not been seen his home address, in Hertford Road, Enfield, since March 1, when he mistook neighbour Mark Woods, 32, for a burglar.

Inebriated Mr Woods, who had been drinking since lunchtime, believed he was being prevented from entering his own house and threatened to stab Mr Pitkin in the eyes with his keys. A scuffle broke out and Mr Pitkin stabbed Mr Woods with a kitchen knife.

Neighbours said they have seen Mr Pitkin's wife collecting the post from the property and believe she and her husband have been staying with relatives for the last two months. One neighbour, who has known the family for 20 years, described the family as "pleasant"and said Mr Pitkin as "a very nice man."

Another neighbour, who called the police when the murder took place, described being woken up by shouting.

He said: "I was in bed and heard a sort of commotion in front. I saw people just pushing at each other outside (Mr Pitkin's) front door. My wife said 'before this gets out of hand you'd better call the police so it won't go any further', so I did that, then I got back in bed - I thought it was over until I saw flashing lights."

The Crown Presecution service said today there is "no realistic prospect of conviction".