Police appeal after Belfast assault victim dies

Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man, who was seriously assaulted in Belfast city centre last week, died of his injuries in hospital.

Mr Warren McCauley, 54, from Antrim, who was a well-known member of the gay community, was found lying in an alleyway at Cole's Alley, between Church Lane and Ann Street on the morning of Tuesday December 3. He had sustained serious head injuries as well as injuries to his chest.

Police have established that Mr McCauley, who used the name 'Aaron' within the gay community, was due to meet somebody called Stevie or Paul at the Custom House Bar, formerly known as the Old Crow's Nest, off Skipper Street, on Monday night.

He left his car, a blue Peugeot 106, registration number GLZ 9397, at Dunbar Link between 4pm and 4.30pm. The car was never picked up again and police are keen to established Mr McCauley movements between this time and 7.50am on Tuesday, when his body was found.

Appealing for assistance, Detective Superintendent Alan Mains said: "We believe the attack happened where his body was found in Cole's Alley. We do believe that there is a link between this crime and the gay community.

"We very much appreciate the assistance of the Rainbow Project and the Northern Ireland Gay Rights movement who have helped us form a strategy to gain the confidence of the gay community to come forward," he added.

Previous to his attack, Mr McCauley was shopping in Belfast and was wearing a checked shirt, navy fleece, navy cord trousers and black shoes. Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen Mr McCauley in the Belfast area between 1.30 pm on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday morning, particularly in the Cole's Alley/Church Lane/Ann Street area.

Anyone with any information on Mr McCauley's movements is asked to contact police on 028 9065 0222 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

(GMcG)