POLICE investigating the murder of an 83-year-old man in Essex have issued an appeal in the North-East.

Officers investigating the death of Donald Ralph, in Aldham, would like to speak to Leighton Snook, 28, who has links to Hartlepool and County Durham.

Mr Ralph,was found deceased at his home in Halstead Road shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, December 29.

A police spokesperson said: "We are progressing our enquiries and from the information we believe this was a targeted attack.

"We urgently need to speak to Leighton Snook, from Colchester. He has links across Essex but particularly Colchester, as well as links to Hastings, Suffolk, Hartlepool, and County Durham."

A 16-year-old boy from Leicester was arrested in Colchester on Wednesday in connection with the investigation.

He remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We urgently need to speak to Leighton Snook in connection with the murder of Donald Ralph.“I would strongly urge him, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, to contact police.

“I ask members of the public not to approach him but to call police immediately."

“Anybody who is found to be assisting those involved in Mr Ralph’s murder in any way will be subject of a thorough investigation and could find themselves prosecuted for assisting an offender.”

Police are also continuing to look for Mr Ralph’s car, a blue Volvo V50 registration plate HD08 YFV, which is missing from his house.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police.