Mystery surrounds Cirencester death (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Mystery surrounds Cirencester death

MYSTERY surrounds the death of drug addict Nicholas Miles, whose body was found in a field on the outskirts of Cirencester at the weekend.

The discovery was made by two young schoolboys on Sunday and, at the time of going to press, police say the death remains unexplained.

The 25-year-old, known locally as Nick, had ongoing problems with a heroin addiction, and a lengthy criminal record.

His body was discovered near a hedgerow between London Road and Burford Road on Sunday afternoon.

But it is believed he may have been dead for several days. Forensic teams spent most of Monday examining the body in a white tent visible from the main road.

A Gloucestershire police spokesman said: "We are tracing his movements over the last week and are making ongoing enquiries.

"No one has come forward yet as far as I know.

"But if anyone had seen him around - been in a pub that he was in, or seen him walking down the street - it will help us piece together what happened before he died."

Mr Miles, who had committed numerous crimes in the Cirencester area in recent years, was jailed for three months in May after pleading guilty to stealing cash from Cotswold Leisure Centre.

The incident sparked a police hunt with the force helicopter and tracker dogs.

He was released from prison several weeks ago and locals say he was known to visit addresses in the area where drug dealing activity is alleged to take place.

Mr Miles gave various different addresses at previous court appearances, the most recent one being in Smith's Field, Chesterton.

The spokesman added: "He had quite a few addresses in Cirencester but technically he was of no fixed abode.

"We don't, however, want to give the impression that he had been abandoned by his family."

An inquest into Mr Miles' death had not been opened at the time of going to press.

Police are appealing to anyone who knows of the movements of Mr Miles in recent weeks or the circumstances surrounding his death to call them on 0845 0901234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.