A PLUMBER was stabbed to death after an alleged row with a customer over a three-hour break.

Gary Amer’s body was discovered next to a boiler and his tool kit. He had been hit on the head with a pan and knifed twice in the chest.

Last night suspect William Treadwell, 67, was charged with his murder. He was remanded in custody and is due in court this morning.

One neighbour claimed the men had been arguing in Treadwell’s flat after Gary, 67, took a long lunch break.

Janet Jarrett, 73, said: “He came to fix the hot water on Thursday but he apparently went off for a three-hour lunch break then said he was coming back on Friday. Apparently he needed to pick up extra parts.”

Treadwell and his sister Pat, who live together in Walworth, South London, had been without hot water for days. Pat, 76, was out when Gary, of Holborn, central London, died on Friday.

Janet said: “She came back to find the flat empty apart from the dead plumber on her kitchen floor. Her brother is a jokey guy, he is never miserable. It’s a terrible shock.”

Paramedics and police were called at 2pm but Gary was dead at the scene.