Murder police seek 'hoodies' help

Ralph Platten died on Wednesday (Picture: Norwich Evening News)

A group in hooded tops seen near the home of a 95-year-old World War II veteran could have vital clues to the identity of thieves who attacked him.

Ralph Platten died in hospital a day after he was confronted by a gang of men when he opened the door to his home in Sutton, Norfolk, on Tuesday.

The gang of three to four men searched his house for money.

POlice believe three males with hooded tops seen 50 yards from Mr Platten's home have "vital information".

A fourth person, also wearing a hooded top, was seen walking away from a small red car - which detectives are keen to trace - and walking towards the other three males, a police spokesman said on Friday night.

Unhappy with building work

Following the attack, Mr Platten was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he died on Wednesday.

Police have appealed to anyone who had seen a red car travelling at "exceptional speed" with its lights on full beam along the A149 between Sutton and Repps with Bastwick to get in touch.

It has also emerged that Mr Platten may have been targeted by people who knew him.

One line of inquiry is around work he had had done on his house in the months before he died.

Police are trying to trace who carried out the work, with which Mr Platten is said to have been unhappy.

Officers have also appealed to dog walkers who use a footpath at the back of Mr Platten's home to get in touch if they saw anything suspicious.