THE skull of a wanted ex-marine has been found near a port 10 months after he went missing following a stabbing.

       Police confirmed the body of John Dick, 38, was found in Harwich, Essex.

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       John Dick had been missing from the Bury St Edmunds area, say police

       The former marine, of Suffolk, disappeared in November after he was connected to a "grievous bodily harm assault" in Thetford, Norfolk.

       Cops said they were "investigating the serious assault in which a man suffered a stab wound".

       Social media appeals to locate the missing dad were also launched by Dick's concerned family.

       But, in a major update tonight, Essex Police revealed a further investigation had after a human skull was found on a building site near Harwich Port.

       Its statement added: "DNA testing has now been carried out on the skull and we can confirm it is the remains of 38-year-old John Dick.

       "Mr Dick had been missing from the Bury St Edmunds area.

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       "He was last seen in Harwich on 30 November, with no additional confirmed sightings.

       "On September 10, further bones were discovered along the coastline, in Bathside Bay, which led to additional searches in the following days.

       "Those searches led to the discovery of more remains in nearby marshland.

       "We are conducting tests to ensure the additional discoveries are the remains of Mr Dick."

       In relation to the alleged assault, the force said: "We are not linking the discovery to any other investigation at this time and a file is now being prepared for the coroner.

       "We have kept Mr Dick’s family updated throughout our investigation."

       John was a wonderful man who was funny, kind, generous and trusting.

       Ex-marine's family

       In a statement, Dick, who served in the Royal Marine for 13 years, said: "We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our John.

       “He was a wonderful man who was funny, kind, generous and trusting and, from the stories that have been shared, it is clear that this has been seen far and wide by so many people.

       “Everyone that knew him is better for knowing him and John will be forever missed.

       “He was so very loved as a daddy, husband, son and brother and our hearts are shattered at our loss.”

       The Clacton and Frinton Gazette reported in April how his devastated wife had pleaded for his return home after the dad-of-two used his bank card and bought a train ticket to Harwich on November 30.

       The last confirmed sighting of Dick was of him getting off the train in Dovercourt, the paper added.

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