Violent end of self-styled lord

Millionaire Howard Worthington, aged 52, was found dead from a gunshot wound in a field behind his home in Brewood on Thursday.

His partner, catering business boss Julie Rees, remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Friends today painted very different pictures of a pillar of society who chaired a village flower show committee, held fireworks displays at his home and had previously sold his mansion after years of renovation.

Others told of a man who loved shotguns and had a fiery temper.

And Government records show a shrewd businessman who held sway over so many companies that he had to leave as managing director of Wolverhampton steel forming company EWS after an investigation by the Office for Fair Trading.

They described his relationship over the last two to three years with 47-year-old Ms Rees as "on-off".

Mr Worthington was chairman of Codsall Wood Flower Show in 2003 when he renovated an idyllic home with a £1.25 million value in the village.

At the time he lived with his then fiancee, Denise, and six children who would now be aged 14 to 24.

It is understood that the couple moved to Shropshire after marrying but that the relationship broke down.

Meanwhile Howard began a relationship with Julie, who was married at one point to solicitor advocate Mark Rees.

Staff at the Wolverhampton offices of the Crown Prosecution Service told yesterday how Mr Rees had left the office in a hurry after receiving news of the tragedy that befell his ex-wife.

Mr Worthington was a former member of South Staffordshire Golf Club in Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, stopping playing about two years ago when he moved into Hyde Mill Lane with Mrs Rees.

She ran a catering business at the canalside property – Julie Rees Creative Catering. Her website describes her "beautiful arts and crafts kitchens overlooking the tranquil English village of Brewood."

Two sources have said Mr Worthington had a gun licence and was known to use shotguns at his former home in Codsall Wood.

A friend, who did not want to be named, said: "I believe the relationship with Julie had been on-off for some time over the last two to three years. Howard was known for having a fiery temper. His private life has been colourful to say the least." But Hugh Clark, chairman of Codsall Wood Flower Show, of which Howard Worthington was chairman in 2003, said: "He was very keen and was involved as chairman for two to three years when he lived here.

"He was a very generous supporter and a hard worker, a very affable chap and a very successful businessman."

A neighbour near the house in Hyde Mill Lane said: "They are absolutely smashing people. I have been to their house a couple of times for parties. It's a fantastic house and they are lovely."

Mr Worthington's role as managing director of EWS, now based in Headway Road, Bushbury, left the role in 2004 following the OFT ruling which found his other company Laird Security Systems had held a "decisive influence" over it. Operations director Alan McKeown said: "Howard owned the business in the 1980s and sold it in the mid 1990s. He had a great personality and there was no-one better when it came to entertaining clients. He met Denise and married her very soon after. I would not want to comment on the circumstances that led to him leaving but we are all very shocked and saddened by the news."

He was also involved with West Bromwich metal forming company La Elwell.

Spokeswoman Sophie Hunt said: "At the time of his death, Mr Worthington had a minority stakeholding in La Elwell but he played no active day-to-day role in the business.

The senior management team and staff at LA Elwell were shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about Howard Worthington's death and their thoughts are with his family and friends."

Old photos show a fun-loving man who bought the title Lord Worthington and had a medieval themed wedding to ex-wife Denise in 2004.

They bought the titles Lord and Lady Worthington of Shray Hill, the area in Telford where they set up home. The title conferred no peerages or rights upon them.

In 2003 Mr Worthington sold his £1.25million home in Whitehouse Lane, Codsall Wood.

It was fitted with a state-of-the-art swimming pool, golf course, croquet lawn, paddock, putting green and duck pond.

At the time he told the Express & Star he and Denise wanted somewhere of their own – "a house that is ours, not just mine".

He is believed to have sold Shray Hill House 18 months ago to move to Brewood. The property was up for sale in July last year for £850,000.

The owner of the house confirmed she had bought the property from Mr Worthington and was aware of today's news, but declined to comment further.

People living on neighbouring farms today said they knew Mr Worthington lived there and referred to himself as a lord.

One said part of the wood behind the house belonged to the property and Mr Worthington used to keep chickens.

By Dan Wainwright.