Two men aged 45 and 40 and a 17-year-old youth have been arrested over the murder of care worker Paul Hadley whose body was found in a churchyard in Halesowen.

Detectives today said the arrests were made at the weekend. All three are from the local area.

It emerged today that the churchyard where Mr Hadley’s body was found has been plagued by disturbances.

There have been reports of trouble at St John the Baptist Church in Queensway, Halesowen.

Mr Hadley, 40, pictured, was discovered last Wednesday, and there has been speculation he was the victim of a robbery gone wrong.

Other people have spoken about drug problems in the town and say addicts congregate in the churchyard. 

Detectives have not commented on a possible motive.

Canon John Everest has declined to comment on the murder or the claims about the graveyard being a meeting place for drug abusers.

But an undated poster in the entrance to the church reads “Disturbances in the churchyard” and refers to a meeting with police following problems in the grounds.

The cordon at the churchyard was lifted on Saturday in time for the church’s autumn fair.