POLICE hunting the killer of a football memorabilia seller  are seeking a man seen talking to him the day before his body was discovered.

It is believed that the man and John Roberts were seen in the alleyway between the rear of Park Terrace, at the junction of Whitewell Road, in Winlaton, Gateshead, between 5.30pm and 6pm on Saturday, December 15.

The man is described as being white, 19 to 20 years old, 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins tall, with short fair hair and cleanly shaven.

He is believed to have been wearing a waist-length dark brown bomber-style jacket and blue jeans.

This follows an appeal for witnesses after a sighting at Kandola store on Hazel Road , approximately 400m from where Mr Roberts lived - at 6.30pm the same day.

Mr Roberts, 32, was found dead at his home in Park Terrace on Sunday, January 16.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of murder.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Northumbria Police’s major crime team on 101 , extension 69191, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.