FORMER police superintendent Brian Newman has died aged 87.

After 30 years in the force, he went on to work in local government and as a representative for Bath Travel.

Brian was born in Kingsbridge, Devon, on January 6, 1931 to parents Frank, a police constable, and Rhoda Newman.

Growing up the family moved around as Frank, who went on to be a chief inspector, was stationed in different areas of the county. This included spells in Tavistock, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.

Brian finished school at Barnstaple Grammar School at the age of 16.

His father wanted him to go into civil service and in 1947 Brian went to London to take on a clerical role in central government. This position included going back and forth to the Houses of Commons.

After two years in the capital, he joined the RAF for his national service. From there he took his first steps with the police in 1951, taking a post with Bournemouth Borough Police Force.

This was the start of 30 years in policing, which saw him rise from rank of police constable to sergeant in 1963, inspector in 1965, chief inspector in 1968 and lastly superintendent in 1979.

Large parts of this time were based in Bournemouth, alongside spells in Christchurch and Poole.

He had periods as divisional commander in Christchurch and Poole and head of prosecutions at Bournemouth.

Daily Echo readers would often see Brian’s name in reports in the newspaper through his hard work in the force.

His actions away from direct policing work also grabbed headlines when it came to light he had anonymously arranged for a young boy from Southbourne to be able to go to the circus for many years.

Brian saw six-year-old Roger Smithers at the local fish and chip shop in 1961 and overheard that he wanted to see the circus having never been before.

Unfortunately Roger was unable to get tickets, however the then police sergeant obtained some tickets from the organisers of the circus and asked the owner of the fish and chip shop to give them to Roger.

After the initial gesture, this same act continued for nine years whenever the circus came to town.

The pair met when 15-year-old Roger visited Bournemouth central police station to thank the officer for his generosity.

Brian retired from the force in 1981 and he went to work at Christchurch council as a planning enforcement officer until 1995.

His final working role saw him take up an invitation from Bath Travel to work as a representative on cruise trips from around 2007.

Brian first met future wife Jean Parker at the police ball in 1952. The couple would go on to marry at Christchurch Priory three years later, with a guard of honour from his colleagues in the force.

They were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary before Jean passed away in 2005.

The couple had two children, Mark, born in 1958 and Debbie, born in 1960.

Mark followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps into the police force.

The children were initially raised in a house that was part of Boscombe Police Station, before Brian was offered the opportunity to buy the former police house in Petersfield Road, which became the only home they ever knew.

Brian and Jean moved to Keverstone Court in the early 2000s.

Away from his work, Brian loved the seaside and swimming. He enjoyed his sport, playing golf and rugby for the police, and holding a membership at Parkstone Golf Club.

In his later years he enjoyed bowls, mainly indoors, which his father played to a high standard.

Brian Newman passed away on Friday, September 7 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by son Mark, daughter Debbie, and grandchildren Felicity, Verity, Matthew and Tom.

“He had such a love for his grandchildren and they were his world,” Debbie said.

“His life was always focused on them, doing activities with them and being very involved.”

A celebration of life service took place for Brian at St Swithun’s Church on Friday, September 28.

Donations, if desired, for Macmillan Caring Locally, where he was cared for in his final days, may be sent to Harry Tomes Ltd, F.D. Barham House, 31-33 Tower Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4LA.