Ring road tramp Fred dies

The tramp who has famously lived in a tent on Wolverhampton's ring road for more than 30 years has died. The tramp who has famously lived in a tent on Wolverhampton's ring road for more than 30 years has died. The body of 87-year-old Josef Stawinoga, who was affectionately known in the city as Fred, was discovered just before 5pm yesterday. A police cordon was placed around his green tent on Ring Road St John's and officers today confirmed his death was not being treated as suspicious. It is not known who made the grim discovery. Council leader Roger Lawrence described it as "very sad news". "Mr Stawinoga was someone the community took to their hearts and provided with a lot of support, even though it was extremely difficult given his circumstances and background," he said. Read the full story in the Express & Star.