MORE has to be done to help homeless people, according to a councillor who has been rocked by the death of a rough sleeper.

John Coupland, 36, known to many as Cosmic, would often frequent the North Station Road area of Colchester and was often sat outside the One Stop shop.

Mr Coupland grew up in Manningtree and he had planned to travel to Scotland to link up with family again before he tragically died.

Colchester Council’s public safety boss Mike Lilley said he had built a strong rapport with him.

“It is such a terrible shame, everyone knew him,” he said.

“I understand at one point he had been housed but he gave his tenancy up.

“I would often see him outside the shop and he just wanted to talk to people.”

Mr Lilley has called for more robust assessments for people like Mr Coupland to see whether they are capable of looking after themselves.

“Seeing a picture of him from 12 years ago and seeing him now makes me feel we have failed in helping him and others like him,” he added.

“We have done so well in housing people but it’s not enough.

“I spoke to him about why he gave his flat up and he said he hated being on his own, he came to North Station Road to watch the traffic, to see people walk by, they would speak to him he would get a coffee or a beer.

“He was very quiet and very vulnerable.

“I asked him once what he needed and he said a place like a prison but not a prison where he could get help.

“Sadly that doesn’t exist and perhaps it is time it did.

“When I think of him outside a few hundreds yards from where I live it gets to me - we will lose more Cosmics in the future.”

Layla Vannhinsbergh was one of a number of people who could speak to Mr Coupland and take him in for a hot meal or a shower having known him for a number of years.

She said: “Considering what he had been through he could have turned out to be anything but he was the nicest person you could ever meet.”

Colchester Council said there was a team of people working with people who become homeless and street patrols regularly took place to help identify people who need help.

It said it had been working with Mr Coupland for some time and he had been on a recovery plan.

Anyone who is concerned about a rough sleeper should visit streetlink.org.uk.