Man Arrested Over Pensioner Murder In Worcestershire

8 July 2019, 14:03

Desmond Wooding

A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a pensioner found "brutally attacked" at his home.

Desmond Wooding was found dead on June 24 after suffering stab wounds.

A neighbour raised the alarm after spotting the lights to the 80-year-old's bungalow in Droitwich, Worcestershire, had been left on from the previous evening.

West Mercia Police said the suspect, also of Droitwich, remains in police custody.

The force added a 55-year-old man, of Tibberton, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and is also in custody.

The widower, who got about using a red mobility scooter, was described as a "large character" and was well known in the town.

Police said Mr Wooding was last seen by a neighbour near his bungalow in Vines Lane on the evening of June 23.

The force said he had been out in the town, which lies only a short walk away over the River Salwarpe and nearby stretch of the Droitwich Canal earlier in the day.

After the pensioner's death, officers could be seen searching undergrowth at the property.

Police said there had been no sign of forced entry at the home and did not say if anything had been taken.

They confirmed Mr Wooding, described as a family man, was inside the home when he was attacked and had suffered "more than one" stab wound.