Antique dealer link in 'Peter Battle' murder investigation

DETECTIVES believe a man may have been murdered because of his work as a local antiques dealer.

Police have revealed the victim is a 56-year-old businessman but no formal identification has been made.

He has been identified locally as Peter Battle, who had lived in Full Sutton, near Stamford Bridge, for several years.

He was found dead in Whisker Cottage on Thursday night after police were called by someone concerned for his safety.

Transparent Fixed Fee, No Hidden Extras!! Call Zest to find out...

Zest

View details

Print voucher

Our transparent fixed sales fees set us aside from the competition, offering full Estate Agency Service for a fixed fee regardless of the value of your home.

Contact: 01482 423365

Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013

A post mortem examination has concluded he died as a result of a head injury.

Detective Chief Inspector Alistair McFarlane, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have specially trained police officers liaising with the family of the occupier and we would hope to obtain a formal identification within the next few days. Clearly, this is a very distressing time for the family concerned and we are keeping them up to date with developments.

The man believed to have lived in the cottage is known as a local antiques dealer, who frequents auction houses in the Yorkshire area.

"We consider that this may be significant in relation to a motive for his murder."

Police do not know how long the body lay there undiscovered for but the Mail understands he could have been dead for a number of weeks.

Det Chief Insp McFarlane said: "It is not clear when the victim died and it is likely forensic tests will be required to establish the identity of the man.

"The date of his death remains unclear but we are particularly interested in determining any activity taking place at the property from the end of December, to February 7, when the man's body was discovered.

"That may include visitors to the cottage or unusual vehicles in and around the area."

Paul Middleton, who lives opposite Whisker Cottage, said he believed the man lived alone in the cottage and was not well-known by residents.

He said: "Nobody in the village knows anything about the man who lives there. I wouldn't even know him if he walked past me in the street."

Mr Middleton said a single police car arrived at the house at about 6pm on Thursday night before forensic teams arrived at the cottage.

Police are now appealing for information that could identify the killer.

Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log number 492 of February 7, or directly at the Incident Room on 01377 208989.

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.