MURDER VICTIM WAS SEX OFFENDER

Man in 40s arrested after 'sustained attack' on 84-year-old

- BY JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE

A MAN aged in his 40s was arrested yesterday on suspicion of the murder of a sex offender.

Sean Small, 84, was found dead outside his home after suffering a “brutal and sustained” attack, police have said.

Detectives said they are keeping an open mind in relation to killing of the elderly man in Newcastle, Co Down, late on Sunday night.

Small had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for sexual offences.

His house on Slievenabrock Avenue and another property remained sealed off by police carrying out forensic examinations yesterday.

Providing an update, Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman said the victim was last seen alive on August 19.

She added: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the victim.