Cromer deaths: Conservatives elect new council leader

Tom Fitzpatrick will take over as leader of North Norfolk District Council

A new leader has been chosen for a Norfolk council after the previous post-holder died in a suspected shooting.

North Norfolk Conservatives selected Tom Fitzpatrick, 58, for the North Norfolk District Council role.

The last leader, Keith Johnson, 58, is believed to have killed his wife Andrea, 44, outside their home in Cromer before turning a gun on himself.

A joint funeral will take place at St Peter and St Paul Church in Cromer.

Councillors and friends are expected to attend the funeral on Friday.

Mr Fitzpatrick, an IT security consultant, who lives in Walsingham and represents the ward, has been a member of North Norfolk District Council since May 2011.

Peter Moore is also appointed chairman of the district council after John Perry-Warnes stepped down because of ill health.

Mr Johnson and his wife died from gunshot wounds. Their bodies were found in neighbouring addresses in Roughton Road, Cromer, on 2 December.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.