Paignton man Jammy Dodger dies, aged 45

A Paignton man who famously changed his name by deed poll to Jammy Dodger has been found passed away at home after concerns were raised for his welfare. The 45-year-old is said to have died quite a while ago before he was discovered.

An inquest into his death was opened at Exeter Coroner's Court this week. It was confirmed that Jammy Dodger, also known as Ashley Walton and Ashley Andrews before changing his name, was born in Exeter on March 5, 1979, and was married and a web designer by occupation.

His death was confirmed at his first-floor flat in Gerston Road, Paignton, on May 5, at 12.20pm.

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Confirming the details that were stated during the opening of his inquest this week, senior coroner Philip Spinney said: "The circumstance of his death are that Jammy had not been seen for a while so entry was forced into his address. Jammy was found unresponsive in a poor condition and had quite clearly he had been there for a while.

"A post-mortem was conducted and cause of death could not be established."

A full inquest will be held on a yet to be confirmed date. In 2018, DevonLive reported how Jammy, known to his friends as JD and at that time a single dad, staged a sit-in at Natwest bank in Paignton after he was refused money owed for backdated disability benefits.

He told how he suffered from anxiety, depression, epilepsy, photophobia and alopecia. He claimed he had been there every day for many days except weekends. Police were called to the bank due to Jammy refusing to leave.

Last year, local media reported how he had lived up to his name after being jailed on June 7 for carrying a knife which was concealed inside a fake credit card. He returned to Exeter Crown Court two days later.

The judge was persuaded to suspend the sentence after deciding his previous sentence of immediate jail was potentially unfair because he had entered his plea under the mistaken belief that his sentence would be suspended.

Jammy was said to be caught with the knife outside the Travel Lodge on Sidmouth Road, Exeter, on August 14, 2020. He claimed he got it as a free gift in a novelty wallet which he bought online from the Chinese internet site Ali Baba.

He admitted possessing a blade in a public place and was initially jailed for six months. At the time he was said to be living on Universal Credit at supported housing.

Jammy previously appeared at the same court under charges of possessing a stun gun and pepper spray. The charges were dropped after a co-defendant admitted them.