Man who died after falling through Corby firm's roof is named

Police are investigating
Police at the scene on Friday.Police at the scene on Friday.
Police at the scene on Friday.

A suspected burglar who died after falling through the roof of a business in Corby has been named locally.

The body of John Joseph Gemmill, known as JJ, was found on a piece of machinery by the owner of Corby Garden Machinery in St James Road at about 7.30am on Friday morning (November 20).

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It's believed the 37-year-old was trying to break into the building when he fell through the roof but his fall did not trigger alarms.

Police at the scene on Friday.Police at the scene on Friday.
Police at the scene on Friday.

On Friday Corby Garden Machinery owner Jamie Sharman, who was left shaken by the incident, told the Northants Telegraph: “I came in through the side entrance and saw him lying on a piece of machinery.

”I phoned the police straight away and the ambulance came. He had been dead for some time. It was a sad sight.

”We are regularly targeted here. They want hand tools that they can transport easily and sell on. We’ve made it as difficult as possible for them with good security but we are still getting burglars trying to get in.”

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Police remained at the scene throughout Friday and a black Ford Mondeo found there was being examined by officers.

This morning (Monday) a Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: “We are currently progressing enquiries to establish what exactly happened and to ascertain whether any offences have been committed in connection with his death.”

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