Ongar: Man Wanted Over Assault On Farm

2 October 2012, 08:26 | Updated: 2 October 2012, 13:25

Essex police are looking for a man in connection with an assault on a farm in Ongar where a murder also took place.

Officers were called to Meadow View Farm off Mile Lane at 9:30pm on Friday September 7th.

When they arrived they found William Martindale unconscious with a head injury.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene. A provisional post-mortem examination result showed that the 39-year-old man from Cripsey Avenue in Ongar died from head injuries.

A 54-year-old man from East London, who was a friend of William Martindale's, was also found on the farm site with serious head and chest injuries.

He is now recovering at home.

Paul Groves was arrested and charged with one count of murder relating to William Martindale and one count of causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent relating to the man from East London.

The 33-year-old factory worker from Queensway, Ongar is currently remanded in custody prior to his next appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, December 3.

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Marina Ericson, said: "We are looking to locate a fourth man who was present at Meadow View Farm on that Friday night and is wanted in connection with the assault on the east London man.

"This man is described as white, is in his mid-late 30s, has a bald or closely-shaven head, is of medium to stocky build and is approximately 5ft 11ins tall. We would urge anyone who knows this man or where he lives to contact us."

A 66-year-old man from Ongar remains on police bail until Friday, October 26 after having been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with this murder investigation.