The family of a man who battered his love rival to death before killing himself have spoken out.

Douglas Channon, 55, attacked 50-year-old Steven Veale at the Effingham Park Hotel in Copthorne on Monday night. He then shot himself on the hotel's golf course.

Mr Channon was separated from his wife Lynne, who was thought to be having a relationship with Mr Veale, who worked at the hotel. Mr Channon's two step-sons, Michael and Jon Ducker, read out a statement on the steps of the family home in Felbridge yesterday.

The men, aged 20 and 19 and sons from Mrs Channon's previous marriage, described how their step-father's actions had been totally out of character and how he had been suffering from depression.

They said: "The family is shocked and distressed by what has happened. Our step-father had always been good to us and worked hard. He was an intelligent man and had never behaved violently towards anyone. This is so totally out of character that we cannot believe it has happened.

"He had been suffering from depression recently but we did not realise the extent or how bad he was. He was trying to carry on as usual. We can only regret what has happened and help our little sister to mourn his death.

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