To most who knew him, the Reverend Ronald Glazebrook was a dedicated carer of those less fortunate.

An affable eccentric affectionately known by his initials RVG, the reverend devoted his life to looking after the under-privileged in Britain and abroad.

Young men whose lives had derailed, a woman with learning difficulties - he treated them all as his own.

Ultimately, it was this charitable nature that led to his unthinkably brutal murder.

He took Hunnisett under his wing, at first allowing him to stay in his home rent-free, after hearing of the conflicts he was having at home.

Mr Glazebrook seemed to relish having some company at the flat where he had lived since his divorce in 1980.

His friendship started with Hunnisett doing voluntary work around the flat and garden. He went on to use the flat to do homework and eventually took to staying more often.

At first they seemed to enjoy each other's company. Frequent trips were spent aboard the reverend's yacht, while Hunnisett also carried out various jobs for his elderly landlord.

The Oxford-educated reverend, a member of Neighbourhood Watch, was not an ostentatious character but lived comfortably within his means.

A lifetime spent working, both within the church and schools, had financed his comfort.

Born Ronald Victor Glazebrook in October 1919, he attended Keble College, Oxford, and gained a BA in 1941, a masters degree in 1948 and a Diploma in Education five years later.

After being ordained in the Forties, he served as a chaplain to schools, working in Australia and Nigeria during the Fifties.

For several years he was principal of Karachi Grammar School in Pakistan.

Former colleague Dr Hassan Tariq said: "Mr Glazebrook was a man of great substance who was full of wisdom."

Mr Glazebrook returned to London in the mid-Sixties, working as chaplain and then assistant master at the Greycoat Hospital School.

In the mid-Seventies he joined St Margaret's, a residential care home in Bethnal Green, east London.

Later in 1983, Mr Glazebrook moved to St Leonards, where he remained active in church circles, in particular at Christ Church in London Road.

There he would take services, mostly on Thursdays, and act as confessor for church members with problems.

Members of his congregation regarded him as highly independent. Overridingly, however, he was held in affection for his thoughtful advice.

Bell-ringer Alan Pink, of Albany Road, St Leonards, said: "Everybody within the church felt a tremendous affection towards him.

"Being someone who was getting on a bit, the servers, particularly the younger ones, regarded him as a kindly old buffer."