Video: Maltby murder police hunt man in Help For Heroes hoodie

Paul Sandford, also known as Paul Dyson, was assaulted in his home in Littlehey Close, Maltby, at around 1am on Friday, October 30.

He was taken to hospital, where he died on Wednesday, November 4.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Robinson, who is leading the investigation, said CCTV footage taken from the cul-de-sac showed a man near Mr Sandford’s bungalow at around 1.15am and leaving around 20 minutes later.

Police are unsure if Mr Sandford knew the man and believe his friends, who were inside the property, let the suspect in.

The suspect was wearing a distinctive navy blue Help For Heroes top, with light coloured khaki shorts.

He is described as white, in his mid 30s, about six foot tall, of stocky build with short brown hair and bright eyes.

Det Chf Insp Robinson said Mr Sandford, who was able to give some information to police while in hospital, suffered ‘trauma injuries’ and does not believe a weapon was involved.

He said: “Paul was quite severely, brutally and cowardly attacked in his home just after 1am on October 30.

“He was taken to hospital and received treatment but unfortunately he died of his injuries on November 4.

“I am here today to appeal to the community of Maltby to assist in finding who has committed this brutal and cowardly attack.

Chief Inspector Craig Robinson at the scene

“We have some CCTV of this particular street and who we believe is the suspect walking past the camera towards this address and some 20 minutes later walking past the camera again.

“The suspect is described by the witnesses who were in the house at the time of the assault as a white male, about six foot tall, mid 30s, quite stocky build, short brown hair and bright eyes.

“One distinctive part of this is that he was wearing a navy blue hoodie with Help For Heroes motifs on the front and back.

“It is a really distinctive piece of clothing. He was also wearing grey or light coloured khaki shorts and white trainers.

“For someone to be wearing shorts at this time of year and at 1am is quite unusual. Someone must know who was wearing them.

“The Help For Heroes top is quite distinctive. Someone know who owns that top. They will have washed that top. They will have seen a brother, uncle, father, son wearing it. They will know who I am referring to.

“I appeal for anyone with any information to come forward and help us identify him.”

Det Chf Insp believes that someone in the local community knows who committed the attack.

He said: “He might have bragged to someone about what he has done and now regrets that because Paul has died.”

Det Chf Insp Robinson said Mr Sandford’s mother has been left distraught by the death of her son and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed while detectives continue enquires.

Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 61, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.