Wanted man John Heald spotted at bargain store, say murder detectives

It is thought John Heald was caught on camera at B&M Bargains, Mexborough, at 4.15pm on Saturday, hours after Bei Carter was found dead.

The image was released by South Yorkshire Police, who say they have had more than 200 calls about Heald, 53, and details of several potential sightings around the Rotherham area since the investigation began.

Heald is wanted in connection with the murder of Mrs Carter, who was found dead at Morayland Hotel, Marshall Avenue, Bridlington, late on Friday night.

South Yorkshire Police have handed out hundreds of flyers to football fans attending a pre-season friendly between Rotherham United and Nottingham Forest at the New York Stadium yesterday.

There was also a digital display van featuring his picture, which was seen by up to than 3,600 fans who were at the match.

Mr Heald is 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build, with blue eyes and short mousey brown hair. His right ear is pierced and he has tattoos on his hands and arms.

He has dots tattooed on the knuckles of both hands as well as a horse on his left hand and a mermaid and an eagle on his right arm.

Senior officers this week outlined the police operation at Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, where the investigation is focused following potential sightings of Heald in the Rotherham and Doncaster areas, where he has lived for most of his life.

They would not elaborate on the nature of a serious violent offence they also want to speak to Heald about, which took place in South Yorkshire a week before Ms Carter’s death.

Chief Superintendent Jason Harwin, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “We’ve got over 150 officers deployed at any one time in the areas of Rotherham and Doncaster ,and also the wider investigation as well, to follow up sightings and lines of inquiry we’re obviously pursuing at this stage.

“We’ve obviously got additional officers out on patrol at the moment and they are working with local people to help them understand what’s happening.”

Mr Harwin said a number of specialist officers were involved in the operation, including armed response teams, but he said he had no information to suggest Heald was armed with a gun.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Baldwin, from Humberside Police, said he did not think Heald knew Ms Carter and said her family was shocked by what has happened.

He said: “The family have only lived in Bridlington for a short period of time, having returned to the country from China over two years ago. They’ve found a guest house and been happy there.

“They’ve become members of the community. This has not only had a huge effect on the family but also on the community of guest house owners in Bridlington.

“The impact on the victim’s family cannot be underestimated. This an unbelievable event to them. They are quite rightly shocked and outraged by what has happened.

“The sooner we find John Heald the easier it will be for them.”

The public have been warned not to approach Heald as police consider him “a dangerous man”.

He is believed to have been staying at the guest house before Ms Carter was killed.