POLICE believe a murdered paedophile may have been killed in a confrontation with local bullies.

Arnold Hartley, known as Robbie, was found dead in his home in Queen Street, Redcar, Teesside, in the early hours of Saturday.

Investigations by police over the past week have shown that Mr Hartley, 73, who was on the sex offenders' register as a medium risk, was leading a miserable life.

Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who is leading the inquiry, said: "He was a sad, pathetic figure.

"He was constantly bullied by a small minority of people, who used his sex offending conviction to threaten and extort from him any item of value.

"Possessions had been stripped from him over several months, and it may well be that it was another visit to plague and terrorise this pensioner that went out of control and resulted in his death."

Mr Dunn believed the answer to the killing lay within the close-knit community.

He said the people who targeted and bullied Mr Hartley were in a minority.

He said: "It is now up to others, who will have known what has gone on, to come forward and contact the police.

"We are making progress in this case -some people have answered our appeals, and made contact.

"But I believe there are many more who have information which is vital to us.

"They may think it is of no consequence, but let us be the judge of that."

Anyone with information is asked to ring the incident room on (01642) 302626, or Crimestoppers in confidence on (0800) 555 111.