New appeal over abducted man's death

Police are searching the churchyard

An abducted man found dumped in a Leeds churchyard died from multiple injuries, a post-mortem examination revealed.

Brian Keating's body was discovered propped up against a wall in St Mark's churchyard in the Woodhouse area at 0600 BST on Wednesday.

Three men forced their way into Mr Keating's home in the Monkhill Lane area of Pontefract at 2130 BST on Tuesday and attacked him in front of his wife and children.

Mr Keating was then forced into the boot of a car which drove off.

Mr Keating was forced into the boot of a car

The post-mortem examination has revealed that many of the injuries to Mr Keating were to his head.

Police are now trying to find out when Mr Keating was dumped in the churchyard.

"We have two independent witnesses who say they were in St Mark's churchyard at about 0200 BST and didn't see a body at the time," said Detective Superintendent Chris Gregg.

"This means we are looking at a four hour time frame when the body could have been put in the churchyard.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the area around St Mark's church to get in touch with us."

A silver Ford Mondeo - believed to have been used in the abduction - was found in the Cross Green area of Leeds.

But police have yet to trace a second vehicle which they think was used to transport Mr Keating to the church.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed Mr Keating was facing a trial next year for conspiring to murder another man in June 2000.

He was also charged with concealing the proceeds of drugs trafficking.