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Scott Williams - Source: ONE News -
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The New Zealand teacher crushed to death in Britain after falling asleep in a skip bin, had planned to settle permanently in Britain after starting a new relationship and becoming a British citizen.
New Zealander Scott Williams, 35, had been drinking with friends in Brighton when he fell asleep in a large rubbish skip.
His best friend Lannon Durrant - who attended the same school as Williams in Hamilton and lived with him for a time in London - said the keen sportsman had wanted to stay in London.
He told the Evening Standard in London: "He had just sorted out his British citizenship. He was going to hang around. He just started seeing a girl in the last few months, and that was one of the things keeping him there."
"He was quite happy where he was - he did not want to come home."
The 1.5 metre-deep bin was picked up by a rubbish truck and tipped into its compactor. The body was discovered after the truck had emptied its load at the depot.
British police say an autopsy showed he had been crushed.
He was last seen at about 1am on Sunday after visiting a number of pubs, and was reported missing at 8am on Monday.
On Wednesday night, colleagues gathered at a pub in Auckland to remember Williams and share their stories. Williams first travelled to London in 2000, and spent time travelling around Europe before getting a job at Harrow High and Sports College.
He returned to New Zealand in 2007, then went back to Britain a year later, working as a temporary teacher at a number of schools in north-west London.
His parents and younger sister are still in New Zealand.
Durrant says: "It is horrible. Everyone is absolutely shocked - it is just an unbelievable way for him to go."
"He lived for the moment. He was very good natured and extremely fun to be around. He would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need."
Former colleague Jacqueline Glazerman said: "He's a lovely guy and I'm really shocked by the news of his death. He was a fantastic teacher and an inspiration to children. It's just terrible."
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