FRIENDS have paid tribute to a popular Gulf War veteran who died following a street attack while on a night out in Colchester.William Prosser - known as David - was described as a beautiful man who always had a smile on his face.

By Annie Davidson

FRIENDS have paid tribute to a popular Gulf War veteran who died following a street attack while on a night out in Colchester.

William Prosser - known as David - was described as a beautiful man who always had a smile on his face.

A murder inquiry was launched after the 36-year-old, from Diggle, near Oldham, Lancashire, was found lying in Balkerne Passage, Colchester, early on Sunday following a violent assault.

His heart had stopped when paramedics reached him and he died a short time later at Colchester General Hospital.

Mr Prosser served on the frigate HMS Brave during the 1991 Gulf War as a weapons' engineering mechanic.

He later settled in Saddleworth and ran Saddleworth and District Mortgages and Investments in King Street, Delph, where flowers had been laid yesterday morning.

Friends recalled how he used to open his doors during a regular band contest day to offer free curry and chilli to revellers.

His friend, Brad Tupman, said: “He was very well-known in the business world and had a lot of contacts and a lot of friends. He will be tremendously missed.”

Martyn Torr, business editor at the Oldham Evening Chronicle, had regular dealings with him over the years and said: “He was just a nice guy.

“It's a shock to us all. He was about to launch a new business selling holiday homes in Bulgaria.”

Mr Prosser had been visiting friends in Colchester and was planning to watch Sunday's Powergen Cup Final in rugby union.

nFOUR men arrested in connection with the assault have been released from police custody.

Two of the men were released on police bail until June 7 and two were released without charge.

The men, from the Clacton area, had been questioned following the death of Mr Prosser.

He had been “punched and kicked” during the assault, police said.