DETECTIVES investigating the killing of an 85-year-old widow in her home have arrested a 20-year-old man from East Yorkshire.

The body of Joan Charlton was found at her address in West Parade, off Londesborough Street, west Hull, by a friend at about 3pm on Thursday.

The pensioner had died of head injuries caused by a "sustained and brutal attack" in which every bone in her face was broken, police have said.

Detectives arrested a man yesterday evening.

Police had earlier said they wanted to speak to a white man in his 40s who was known to tend to Mrs Charlton's garden.

But now they have ruled him out of their inquiries.

However, police are still appealing for witnesses who may have seen Mrs Charlton shortly before she died or who saw anything suspicious.

Detective Superintendent Dena Fleming said: "I am appealing for anyone who has seen Joan recently, anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of Joan's home address, or anyone with information about the man tending to Joan's garden to contact us as a matter of urgency."

Detectives believe Mrs Charlton was the victim of a burglary gone wrong.

There were signs of forced entry to the property and an "untidy search" was made by the intruder, police said.

Det Supt Fleming described the attack on Mrs Charlton as "horrific" as she appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

She said: "This is a particularly horrendous and brutal attack.

"I would ask anyone who may know anything at all about this incident to please come forward."

Mrs Charlton, a widow for more than three decades, lived alone in her terraced house.

Police want to establish her movements prior to her death, as it was not yet clear how long she had been dead before her body was discovered.

Friends and neighbours of Mrs Charlton earlier paid tribute to a "lovely, warm, and kind-hearted" woman.

Joyce Taylor, 83, who has lived in West Parade for 28 years, said Joan had loved her garden.

She said: " She would spend hours tending to it, she was always outside pruning her roses."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said Mrs Charlton had been a "quiet" lady who was always happy.

She told the Mail: "We rarely saw her but whenever we did it would always be when she was looking after her garden.

"She loved being there and always seemed really happy when she was.

"She would always say hello and always smiled."

Forensic examinations continue to take place at the West Parade property.

Anyone with information should contact the major incident room at Tower Grange Police Station on (01482) 796271.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555111.

Links

Humberside Police

www.humberside.police.uk

Crimestoppers

www.crimestoppers-uk.org