A MAN found dead at his home at the weekend suffered serious head injuries, police confirmed today (December 17).

Detectives investigating the death of John Roberts are treating it as a murder inquiry and appealed for information to help discover the circumstances leading to the fatality.

Officers found the body of Mr Roberts inside his house in Winlaton, near Blaydon, Gateshead, shortly after 6.15pm yesterday.

A post-mortem carried out on the body of the 32-year-old locally well-known man established he died as a result of serious head injuries.

Northumbria Police launched a murder investigation and detectives asked for anyone with knowledge of Mr Roberts’ movements in recent days to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Christina Barrett said: “Officers discovered John Roberts’ body inside his home address, in Park Terrace, on Sunday evening and the post-mortem showed that he died as a result of head injuries.

“The last confirmed sighting of him was on Thursday, December 13, and we need to trace his whereabouts since then.

“We’re keen to speak to anyone who may have see Mr Roberts or spoken to him since Thursday, or anyone with any information that could help us track his movements since he was last seen.

“He’s well known in the local area and quite distinctive looking, due to his long hair and long beard.

“If anyone thinks they may have seen him since Thursday then I’d ask them to contact us.

“We have extra officers in the Winlaton area carrying out inquiries and speaking to residents.

“If anyone has concerns or information they wish to pass on face-to-face to officers, then please speak to them.”

Anyone with information can contact police via the recently introduced 101 line, or can anonymously by ringing Crimestoppers, on 0800-555-111.