TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a “gentle giant” who was found dying in a Bournemouth street after being stabbed in the back.

Glyn Helliwell from Poole had worked as a chef at the Bistro on the Beach restaurant on Southbourne promenade for almost three years.

A murder hunt was launched in the early hours of Wednesday after the 42-year-old was discovered collapsed in Parkwood Road, Southbourne.

He died a short time later at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Uniformed officers continued house-to-house inquiries in the Parkwood Road area yesterday afternoon in the hope that residents, shocked by the brutal killing on their doorstep, could shed some light on events leading up to the attack.

A section of the road, which had been sealed off, was re-opened.

But there were still several police vehicles parked in the vicinity where Mr Helliwell was found at about 12.45 am on Wednesday.

Struggling to come to terms with the loss of his “right-hand man,” Mr Helliwell’s boss Mario Lesnik said: “We called Glyn the gentle giant.

“He was about 6ft 3in tall with a really big presence but, above all, he was a true gentleman.

“During his time here Glyn had made a major contribution to our business.

“He was loyal, honest and a hard worker who was very popular with staff and customers.

“A single man, he travelled from Poole to work every day and was more like a member of my family than one of my staff.

“Glyn was such a big man that I can’t understand how he was overcome in such a cowardly fashion; it’s just unbelievable.”

Mr Helliwell was a regular at the Grove Tavern on Southbourne Grove. Owner Clive Mace said: “Despite being a quiet guy and keeping himself to himself, Glyn was well known in this area and respected.

“Everyone here is stunned; it’s shocking. Glyn will be greatly missed and, once we have spoken to his family, we will do something at the pub, in his memory.”

Renewing his witness appeal, DCI Kevin Connolly said: “It may be that someone, perhaps several people, noticed a commotion or heard a disturbance in the Parkwood Road area.

“Anyone with information about Glyn’s movements, or intended movements, during Tuesday evening and the early hours of Wednesday should call us immediately.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who knew Glyn who has yet to speak with officers.

“I understand that taxi drivers may have been in the Seabourne Road area, near the Grove Tavern, between 12.15 am and 12.30 am on Wednesday and I would urge them to contact me as soon as possible.”

• Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset police on 01202 222222.