Convicted paedophile Steven McGowan was found dead in his flat

Steven McGowan died in the early hours of Wednesday, June 9 when emergency services were called to the address in Marske.

There had been reports of trouble and animosity around Wheatacre Close in the weeks leading up to Mr McGowan's death.

Steven McGowan

Windows in his ground floor flat were covered with cardboard and Cleveland Police appealed for information about any anti-social behaviour in the area in the weeks leading up to the fire.

The force said a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and had since been released under investigation.

Neighbours in the area identified the victim in the hours following his death but he has only been officially named by Cleveland Police today.

One resident said the convicted paedophile had lived at the address for a while but there has recently been a lot of trouble associated with the property.

The man said: "He kept himself to himself most of the time but he seemed to change a little bit when his dog died.

"There has certainly been some problem in the last few weeks."

Crime scene investigators working at the property in Marske

In 2013, Mr McGowan was convicted of taking indecent pictures of girls in a swimming pool changing room and sentenced to two years in prison.

The following year he was jailed for longer after publicity from the case prompted another victim to come forward.

The woman contacted police after reports of Steven McGowan’s offending at the Splash baths in Stockton appeared in the press.

The victim told how she was abused by McGowan when she was 14 and 15 after being given vodka and cannabis.

McGowan was also sentenced for abusing a 13-year-old girl who woke on two occasions on a sofa to find his hand in her underwear.

He was jailed for five years and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for life.