A naked man found face down in a roadside Oxfordshire pond was today named as Sean Wearmouth.

The 29-year-old murder victim was discovered in shallow water next to the A421 Bicester to Buckingham road near Stratton Audley on Tuesday.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had severe face and head injuries and detectives immediately launched a murder hunt.

His body was found by a motorist who pulled into a layby near the Fringford junction.

Mr Wearmouth lived at Hambling Close, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, with his mother. Police believe he was killed elsewhere and his body was then dumped. The murder team is concentrating its efforts on the Bicester and Dunstable areas.

Det Supt Steve Morrison, leading the inquiry, said Mr Wearmouth was last seen by his mother on Sunday evening as he was going out out. She did not know where he went but reported him missing when he failed to return.

He added: "We believe the body of Mr Wearmouth was dumped in the pond near Bicester at some point between Sunday evening and when it was found on Tuesday lunchtime. It is likely he died elsewhere." Officers from the Thames Valley and Bedfordshire forces have teamed up in the hunt for Mr Wearmouth's killers. They have already ruled out any sexual assault but believe he may have been bludgeoned to death by more than one attacker.

Divers who trawled the pond for clues found a wallet and other items, which are being tested for DNA samples by forensic experts.

Police also repeated their appeal for information from anyone who may have passed the scene between Sunday evening and Tuesday lunchtime.

Story date: Thursday 22 April

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