Boy (12) held in connection with murder released on bail

A 12-year-old boy who was arrested in connection with the murder of a man in east Belfast just before Christmas has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police said a drugs link is one of the avenues of inquiry they are pursuing in relation to the murder of 41-year-old Matthew Goddard, who was found beaten to death at his home in east Belfast on Christmas Eve.

He was last seen alive about 6pm on Tuesday, December 23rd.

Mr Goddard is believed to have been struck by a number of implements and that his electric guitar was also used in the assault.

Police, who described the attack as sustained and brutal, said Mr Goddard was not known to them, but that one line of inquiry was a possible drugs connection.

A 21-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman who were arrested on Saturday were still being questioned by police on Monday night, as was a 17-year-old male who was arrested on Sunday.

The 12-year-old who was also arrested on Sunday was released on bail early on Monday morning.

“Mr Goddard suffered a brutal and violent attack in the living-room of his home, a place where he should have felt safe,” said PSNI Det Chief Insp John McVea.

“Mr Goddard was not previously known to police. We believe he may have been involved in drugs and this is one of a number of lines of inquiry police are investigating,” he added.