Teenagers sought in murder inquiry

Police said youths were seen walking near the scene

Detectives investigating the murder of a man who was subjected to a "ferocious" attack have renewed their appeal for three teenagers to come forward.

Robert Hanson, 43, died of severe head injuries, including a fractured skull, after the assault in the Bramley area of Leeds in the early hours of Sunday.

He was found unconscious at 0600 GMT by a man on his way to work on a well-lit footpath near the Wickes DIY store, at the junction of Leeds Ring Road and Pudsey Road.

He died later in hospital.

'Popular man'

Detectives believe Mr Hanson's head may have been stamped on several times during the attack.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said the teenagers could be witnesses to the attack and he appealed for them to contact detectives.

He added: "Three teenagers seen walking down Pudsey Road towards Wickes shortly after 0100 GMT have still not been traced.

"They will have arrived in the area where Mr Hanson joined the ring road on his way home around the same time, so they may have seen him.

"These people could be responsible for the attack, but if not, there is every chance they will have seen those who did it.

"It is vital they come forward, or if anyone knows who they are, they must let the police know straight away."

Police described the victim as "a very popular man" who worked as a salesman at a furniture store in Salford, Manchester.

Family Christmas

Mr Hanson, who lived with his father in Salford, had been visiting relatives in Gamble Hill Croft, Bramley, on Sunday night and left at 0120 GMT.

It is believed the attack happened as he was walking towards Hough Side Road, half a mile away, where his aunt and uncle lived.

Police said a motive for the attack had not yet been established but they had not ruled out robbery.

Mr Hanson, whose mother died earlier this year, had been hoping to spend Christmas with his father and relatives in Leeds.

A member of Mr Hanson's family in Salford declined to comment today.