Police hunting killer of retired farm worker, 83, who was 'beaten to death during burglary' at his home release image of suspect, 28, as boy, 16, is arrested on suspicion of murder

Police hunting the suspected killer of a retired farm worker allegedly beaten to death during a burglary at his Essex home have released an image of a suspect as a 16-year-old boy is arrested on suspicion of murder.

Essex Police have released an image of Leighton Snook, 28, but warned the public to stay away from him, following the murder of Donald Ralph earlier this week.

The 83-year-old was found dead at his home in Aldham, near Colchester, on Tuesday, after concerned neighbours went to check on him.

Police are still searching for his blue Volvo, which they have since spotted driving to Hastings on the day his body was found.

A 16-year-old boy from Leicester was arrested in Colchester last night, in connection with our investigation. He remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of murder.

Relatives have described Mr Ralph as a 'unique character,' who was 'young at heart'. 

Detectives have said that his blue Volvo V50 car was missing from his driveway, suggesting it may have been taken by his killers.

But officers have refused to confirm reports that Mr Ralph's shotgun was also stolen in the raid which they have described as 'a targeted incident'.

Donald Ralph was described by his niece as a 'unique character,' who, at 83, was 'young at heart'

Police have urged the public not to approach Leighton Snook, 28, who is said to have links across Essex, particularly Colchester, as well as links to Hastings in East Sussex, Hartlepool and County Durham

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'We urgently need to speak to Leighton Snook in connection with the murder of Donald Ralph.'

'I would strongly urge him, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, to contact police.

'I ask members of the public not to approach him but to call police immediately.'

'Anybody who is found to be assisting those involved in Mr Ralph's murder in any way will be subject of a thorough investigation and could find themselves prosecuted for assisting an offender.' 

He is said to have links across Essex, particularly Colchester, as well as links to Hastings in East Sussex, Hartlepool and County Durham.

Essex Police also revealed today that Mr Ralph’s Volvo with the registration number HD08 YFV was known to have been driven to Hastings on Tuesday morning.

Mr Ralph's missing Volvo was last seen driving towards Hastings on Tuesday - the day the 83-year-old was pronounced dead at his home in Essex

Yesterday Donald's niece Tina Ralph said: 'Don was a very young at heart, fit 83-year-old, with boundless energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment of life.

'He was a man who loved all things countryside, particularly fishing and the Norfolk Broads, as well as being an avid bird lover.

'He loved horse racing and spent many a happy Saturday having a little flutter.

'Don was a unique character, who will be much missed by his wide circle of friends, and all his family.'

Officers refused to confirm or deny if a shotgun had been stolen, as a villager claimed, saying only that checks were being made to establish if anything else was missing.  

Mr Ralph was found unresponsive at his bungalow on Tuesday afternoon, and was pronounced dead at the scene  

Retired farm worker Mr Ralph is believed to have lived alone at the £450,000 house in the idyllic Essex village for at least 40 years. 

A neighbour who had become concerned about him raised the alarm after finding his body in his home at around 1pm on Tuesday.

Police are awaiting the results of a Home Office post mortem examination to establish how Mr Ralph died. 

Police forensic officers in white suits were today searching his concrete-rendered bungalow beside the busy main road between Colchester and Halstead. 

One was seen carrying out a search among rubbish at the side of the bungalow near to a lean-to which appeared to be surrounded with weeds.  

A neighbour who had become concerned about Mr Ralph raised the alarm after finding his body in his home at around 1pm on Tuesday

Two plastic sheets held down by pieces of rock were visible on the path leading to the front door as officers investigated the scene in Halstead Road, Aldham, on Wednesday

DCI Egerton said on Tuesday: 'We are progressing our enquiries and from the information we have gained so far, we believe this was a targeted incident.

'It has been established that Mr Ralph's car, a blue Volvo V50 registration plate HD08 YFV, is missing and we are continuing enquiries to locate it. We are also checking if anything else is missing from his property.

'We'd like to speak to anyone who has seen Mr Ralph's car, or was in the Aldham area between about 3pm on Monday December 28 and 1pm on Tuesday December 29, and saw anyone acting suspiciously, or has dash cam or CCTV footage.' 

Speaking yesterday, one local said: 'We're all just stunned at the moment and trying to get our head around what's happened.

'It's hard to believe there's been a murder here in Aldham of all places.

'I just feel for his family, they must be struggling to understand what's happened.'

A relative who asked not to be named, choked back tears as he said: 'I'd like ten minutes with the b****** who did it, that's what I'd really like.

'I don't know why anybody would want to do this. It is beyond my wildest, wildest nightmares.

'To think there are people in this world who would do something like this. He did various jobs and had been alone for 40 or 50 years.

'He was very happy. He was just a lovely man and I loved him. His car has gone and we don't know why.

'I had not seen him so often recently because of Covid because he was in a bubble with other relatives. They looked after him and took him round his Christmas dinner.

'He was just an ordinary fellow living his ordinary life. You hear about this sort of thing in the worse kind of drug-crazed places, but it just doesn't happen in the countryside.'

Mr Ralph is thought to have been married many years ago and had no children.

The bungalow on Halstead Road is thought to be worth around £450,000. Police say they are still searching for the pensioner's blue Volvo, while officers are checking to see if any other items are missing

Neighbours paid tribute to the pensioner, saying the attack was 'beyond my wildest, wildest nightmares'

A neighbour said: 'He was the sweetest man and had a heart of gold.'

Another neighbour said today: 'I last saw him before Christmas when he was going out in his car and waved to say hello as usual. He was just a good old boy.'

'When I went to take some stuff to my potting shed at around 7am yesterday , I saw his light was on which was very unusual. It registered in my head that Don was up early.'

Anther villager added: 'I was told that his shotgun was missing along with his car. The police need to find his car and hopefully that will lead them to whoever killed him.

'I don't know whether he died when he was attacked or if he was left with injuries and died later.'

Police were called out to the bungalow in Halstead Road on Tuesday afternoon. They are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area on Monday

One villager believes the pensioner's car and shotgun were taken during the incident

A woman who lives nearby said: 'I knew him as Don. He was quite a keen countryman and was keen on shooting. He used to do rough shooting on local land.

'I wouldn't say he was a loner, but he was always alone. It is quite a shock to hear what has happened

'We used to say hello to each there when he walked past my house and I was in my garden. He also used to have a spaniel dog.

'The last time I saw him was the day before Christmas Eve when I was going out to post a letter and I saw him driving off towards Colchester in his pale blue Volvo.'

Another local resident added: 'We're all just stunned at the moment and trying to get our head around what's happened.

'It's hard to believe there's been a murder here in Aldham of all places.

'I just feel for his family, they must be struggling to understand what's happened.'