Police are appealing for information after a pensioner was bludgeoned to death in his country home.
Roy Blackman, 73, was found dead in his home on Monday in what police have said could be a violent burglary.
The pensioner, who ran a local garage, died from ‘multiple blunt force injuries’ according to a post-mortem report.
A safe is missing from his home following the attack in rural Biddenden, Kent, which may have been carried out by several people.
Kent Police, who are treating the death as a murder are appealing for information from anyone who may have been in the area.
Officers believe the incident has occurred between 1am and 3am on Monday, 21 March 2016.
In the months leading up to his death, friends say the widower, who lived alone, had become increasingly concerned about his own security and had installed a number of cameras around his £330,000 home.
Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead, who is leading the investigation said: “Mr Blackman was beaten to death in his own home in what appears to be a violent burglary.
“A safe is missing from the property and we are keen to locate it.
“Mr Blackman was a well-known and well liked member of the community; he ran businesses in the area for many years and had a family who are distraught by his murder.
“I believe that several suspects would have carried out this crime.
“They have targeted a vulnerable man in his own home leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
“It’s important these people are arrested and I urge anyone who has any information about this crime to come forward.”
