A MURDERED pensioner was a victim, preyed on by local people - well before his activities as a paedophile came to light, say police.

Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, the man leading the hunt for the killers of convicted paedophile Arnold Hartley, said life just got worse for the "vulnerable" 73-year-old on his return home to Redcar following a 12-month prison sentence.

The old man who was battered to death at his Queen Street, Redcar, home, had been on the sex offenders' register as a medium risk following his conviction in 2001.

He was found guilty of taking indecent photographs of a girl under 14 and one offence of gross indecency with the same child.

Appealing to local people to examine their consciences, Detective Supt Dunn said: "Following our appeals, information is beginning to trickle in and we are getting a much clearer picture of the lifestyle led by Mr Hartley and, more importantly, the people who came to his house. This, I believe, will lead us to his killers.

"From the people we have spoken to, it would appear that Mr Hartley has been the subject of abuse, bullying and threats and I believe this started long before his sex offending came to light."

As a detailed forensic examination of Hartley's house continued yesterday, Mr Dunn said: "We believe he was a very vulnerable and lonely person in the community and many people took advantage of him. That situation became worse, following his conviction and prison sentence.

"It is clear from the information we are now receiving that a variety of people have been inside his home where they stole property, threatened him to extort cash and valuables or cynically befriended him with the sole intention of getting money and goods. They felt they could do what they liked.

"There is, no doubt, a lot of people in the area who know what has been going on at this property.

"They have seen this vulnerable old man as a soft touch and because of his offending, someone who would not complain to the police."

Anyone who can help the police is asked to telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or (01642) 302626.