A DISTRAUGHT pensioner claimed today that former York council leader Rod Hills spent his last moments in his Leeds flat.

Wilfred Dixon, 65, said Mr Hills knocked on the door of his housing association flat in Newton Walk, Chapeltown, on Monday evening.

The Evening Press exclusively revealed in later editions of yesterday's paper how Mr Hills was found dead in Leeds.

West Yorkshire police today refused to confirm or deny that Mr Dixon's home was the address where Mr Hills was found.

But Mr Dixon said today: "He was looking for my neighbour, Mendy," he said. "I let him in. He said he was too tired to drive home. He seemed very presentable, a real gentleman.

"I said "Sit down", and asked if he would like to lie down. I made him up a bed, but then I popped out for a walk.

"When I came back about 10 o' clock, I checked him because I thought he had had enough rest now.

"I thought he would have had enough sleep, but I could not raise him and he was dead. I couldn't believe it."

The father-of-four said he had not been able to sleep since.

"I am still in shock with the whole thing. I can't think right, I can't sleep until the morning comes. I am just a quiet person who watches the TV and likes to go out for walk.

"I can't believe this has happened. It is very sad."

Mr Hills' death came only hours after he could have been at York's Mansion House, receiving one of York's highest honours.

The Press revealed last week how he had turned down the chance to become an honorary alderman, an honour that is only offered to people who have served more than 20 years as a councillor.

Mr Hills said then that he had been grateful for the offer, but had not felt he could accept it.

West Yorkshire police said a post-mortem examination was expected to take place today, but there were no suspicious circumstances. The decision on whether to hold an inquest wasexpected to be made later today.

Mr Hills' death comes after a traumatic 18 months in which he became embroiled in two criminal investigations.

He was charged last year with a number of serious offences including blackmail, soliciting women for prostitution and perverting the course of justice but the charges were all later dropped.

Updated: 11:03 Wednesday, July 30, 2003