TWO mystery men, one of them shoeless, were seen running from the house where convicted paedophile Arnold Hartley was murdered.

The 73-year-old was discovered dead in the early hours of Saturday at his dilapidated home in Queen Street, Redcar.

A witness has come forward after widespread appeals by police for information from people who were in the area between midnight and 1am.

The witness said he saw two white men running from the direction of the house, one of them distinctive because he had no shoes on.

Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who is leading the inquiry, said: "It may well be that these men knew of the attack or may have even been involved."

The shoeless man was between 5ft 8in and 6ft, aged between 24 and 28, thin, with short, fair hair.

He wore dark blue jeans and a cream, long-sleeved shirt.

The other was 5ft 5in, aged between 18 and 20, and wore a dark baseball cap with a white logo.

He was dressed in navy blue tracksuit bottoms and top, which had white stripes along the shoulders, chest and arms.

Det Supt Dunn said: "It is imperative that both men come forward. We don't know whether these people were involved in the attack or not.

"Information is beginning to trickle in now, but we would very much like to speak to these men who were seen running in Queen Street from the direction of number 107 - Mr Hartley's home."

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 302026.