A 23-year-old man has tonight been arrested in connection with the death of John Barry Coates.

Mr Coates, 61, was found dead in his flat in Fleet House, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, on September 13, having not been seen for four days.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "The 23-year-old is currently being interviewed at Middlesbrough Police Office."

A post mortem examination carried out on Monday resulted in his death being ruled as suspicious by detectives.

Mr Coates was last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, September 9, when he had been working on his allotment.