Family tributes to 'cool and clever' Electric Bill

William McNicholl had a "heart of gold", his family said after his death in Ipswich

A man believed to have been fatally stabbed on Christmas Day was a "larger than life character with a heart of gold", his family said.

The body of William McNicholl was discovered at a property in Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, shortly before 18:00 GMT on 1 January, but police believe he may have died a week earlier.

The force launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination found the 63-year-old had died from a single stab wound as well as head injuries.

The family of Mr McNicholl, who was also known as Billy and Electric Bill, have remembered him as a "cheeky geeza with a fun sense of humour".

The 63-year-old often attended protests and was involved in the town's local punk music scene

Mr McNicholl was a well-known character in the Ipswich area, his family said

"Love him or hate him, the man with many names who meant lots of different things to different people, was cool, clever and eccentric," his family said.

"His friends, five nieces and sister remember him as kind and generous, even when he didn't have much himself – he was a larger than life character with a heart of gold.

"We have many fond memories of him riding his Harley-Davidson, listening to Iron Maiden and discussing politics and theology, and of holidays in the Yorkshire dales."

Mr McNicholl, who was also a "whizz at a Rubik's Cube", was a well known personality in Ipswich in the 1970s having moved to the area from London, his family said.

He was involved in political protests, including one opposed to the introduction of the poll tax, and was heavily integrated in the local punk music scene.

Suffolk Police believes Mr McNicholl may have known the person who entered his home and attacked him

His real passion and "priority" was his dogs, including his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Leo, who was now being looked after following his death, his family added.

According to Suffolk Police, the last reported sighting of Mr McNicholl, who lived on his own, was on 23 December, but he was using social media on 25 December.

The force suspects he may have had an association with the person who entered his home and attacked him, as there were no signs of a forced entry.

Since his death, his family have launched a campaign to fund a funeral ceremony which will "offer him the dignity he didn't get in his passing".

"We are all deeply saddened and shocked someone did this to him, no one deserves that, ever," they added.

Mr McNicholl's dogs were always his "priority" and true passion