Police search murder scene

Police search murder scene

A police forensic team is searching for clues at the scene

Police in Prestatyn are conducting an extensive search for clues to the brutal murder of a pensioner.

Brian Dodd, 72, was killed in an apparently motiveless frenzied knife attack in a car park at Ffrith beach between 1200 and 1230 GMT on Tuesday.

Local people have been stunned by the murder, in which the retired accountant was stabbed at least 10 times, mostly in the head and neck.

In an attempt to find the killer, officers are using advanced technology to identify footprints left next to Mr Dodd's car.

Meanwhile, a police sub-aqua unit has also been searching a nearby pool in the hope the weapon - thought to be a large knife - used in the attack may have been discarded.

Officers have opened a mobile police station and have stepped up patrols in the area to reassure concerned members of the public.

Mr Dodd was stabbed at least 10 times

"Prestatyn is supposed to be squeaky clean," said local resident Elwyn Jones.

"When a thing like this happens here, you are devastated," he added.

Mr Dodd, who only lived half a mile from the murder scene, was found behind his heavily bloodstained Y-registration silver Mitsubishi Charisma car by a member of the public.

His two dogs were found next to his body in Festival Gardens.

Appeal

Superintendent Peter Ackerley said the attack was horrific and appeared motiveless.

"This is the worst attack I have seen in 30 years as a police officer, the injuries were significant and covered Mr Dodd's head and body," he said.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Festival Gardens car park at the time of the murder to come forward.

Mr Dodd's car has been taken away for officers to collect forensic evidence and police are trying to establish whether any of his belongings were stolen.

Mr Dodd had been married to his wife Enid for 10 years and had stepchildren.

He had dropped his wife off at Rhuddlan community centre at 0920GMT and arrived at the Festival Gardens at 1145 GMT.

Officers are looking through CCTV cameras and are carrying out forensic tests in the area.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 01492 510240.