Detectives given more time to question man over murder of pensioner

By Cate McCurry, PA

Detectives investigating the murder of a pensioner found dead outside his home in Co Down have been given more time to question a man arrested in connection to his death.

Sean Small, 84, was found at his home in Slievenabrock Avenue, Newcastle, on Sunday night after suffering a “brutal and sustained” attack, police said.

On Tuesday evening, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The PSNI said on Thursday that detectives have been granted a court extension of an additional 36 hours to question the man arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Previously, detectives said they were keeping an open mind in the investigation.

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

His house and another property remained sealed off by police carrying out forensic examinations in the Co Down town earlier this week.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman said the victim had last been seen alive on August 19th.

Speaking on Tuesday, she said: “We received a report at around 10.30pm on Sunday, August 24th, that a man in his 80s had been found outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle.

“Sadly, the man was pronounced dead and has been named as 84-year-old Sean Small from the town.

“This was a brutal and sustained attack, and while our investigation is at a very early stage, detectives are working at pace to determine the circumstances around this murder.

“In order to do this, we need the public’s help.

“We believe that Sean was last seen alive on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 19th.

“We need to speak to anyone who was in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on August 19th or following days, or who may have witnessed anyone or anything they thought was suspicious or out of the ordinary.

“Has anyone you are close to acted strangely over the last few days or broken from their usual routine?”