Residents living in the block of flats where a man was paralysed after plunging 25ft from a stairwell said they were not surprised to hear of the incident on their doorstep.

Scene - the stairwell at Romany Steps where a man fell 25ft on Tuesday night Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The glass on the security doors leading into the Woodgrange estate's Romany Steps - nicknamed "Little Beirut" - in Beresford Road, Southend, is broken, letting anyone walk in off the street.

Graffiti has been penned on the doors and walls and the smell of dumped rotting rubbish is apparent from the end of the ground floor corridor, wafting in from outside.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, saw the police examining the area where the 26-year-old man was found.

She said: "We call it Little Beirut and that is the normal sort of thing to happen around here. I heard that he jumped. Some others were saying he fell out with his girlfriend."

Another resident, who also did not wish to named for fear of becoming the target of abuse, said the estate had "been quite troublesome".

A 33-year-old Southend man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but has been released on police bail until September 9.

The paralysed man is in a serious condition in hospital and has been too ill to be interviewed properly by police.

Det Insp Martyn Pinkney of Southend CID said: "We think the incident happened at about 11pm but are hoping to hear from anyone in the area between 8pm and midnight who may have seen something or have any idea about how this happened."

Anyone with information regarding the incident has been asked to contact Leigh CID on 01702 431212

Published Friday July 30, 2004

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