10/09/2010

Vulnerable Man's 'Frenzied Killer' Sought

The police are hunting a 'frenzied killer' after they revealed that the man murdered in Armagh last week was stabbed in a brutal attack.

The victim, a vulnerable person, was Kevin Fletcher, 32, who was found dead at his flat in Castle Street last Friday morning.

Police have today renewed their appeal for information on the "unprovoked" attack.

The detective leading the murder inquiry said it was "a frenzied attack on a man who lived alone and was unable to defend himself against someone intent on causing utterly horrific injuries".

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness said: "I cannot begin to imagine how Kevin's girlfriend will come to terms with what she saw when she went into his flat last Friday morning.

"Those closest to Kevin are inconsolable with grief."

He said police were following a number of lines of enquiry but no motive had yet been established.

Police want to trace Mr Fletcher's last movements, and appealed for anyone who saw a man walking a brown terrier or the dog on its own between 10.30pm on Thursday 2 September and 11.45am the following day to contact them.

"It was usual for Kevin to walk his dog around the apartment complex where he lived at around 11pm," said DCI Harkness.

"We know that Kevin was at a local bingo hall with his mother until around 10pm last Thursday night.

"Kevin's father took Mrs Fletcher to a local bar and then took Kevin home, where he stayed and watched television with him until approximately 10.30pm."

(BMcC/KMcA)

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