Appeal for killer of Barry Rubery to come forward

Police believe Mr Rubery would have put up a 'solid defence'

The family of a man who was found dead at his home in Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire, have appealed for his attackers to hand themselves in.

Barry Rubery, 68, was discovered in a property in Latteridge Road at 0800 BST on 29 April.

Speaking at a news conference, his children Philip and Julie Rubery said what happened was a "mystery to us".

Detectives believe the motive was burglary but have not confirmed if anything had been stolen from his home.

Miss Rubery said: "To lose our father in this way is just unimaginable and our devastation is just beyond belief.

"We appeal to everyone to search for anything that may help the police."

Sustained assault

Asked what message they would send to their father's killer, Mr Rubery replied: "Just to come forward and tell us what the reasons were for doing all this.

"Come to the police and hand yourself in. Because me and my sister and his six grandchildren are just devastated about what happened."

Mr Rubery had returned to his home in Latteridge Road at 2245 BST on 28 April after spending the evening with friends.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be head injuries from a "significant and sustained" physical assault.

Det Ch Insp Gary Reeves, who is leading the murder investigation, said Mr Rubery was a "fit, strong and healthy" man with a boxing background, who would have put up a "solid defence" to any attack.