Murder victim's National win

Andrew Owen, nicknamed "tatter" is thought to have scooped around £5,000 but police said he was not targeted as a result of the bet.

The body of Mr Owen was discovered on grassland known as Coronation gardens in Dudley Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Detective superintendent Mick Treble today said: "Detectives are investigating the possibility that a number of items may have been taken from the victim.

"We are aware that the victim placed a bet on the Grand National at a bookmakers in Woodsetton. There is nothing to suggest he was targeted as a result of this bet."

A post mortem has been carried out but police are still waiting for the results of tests. They have confirmed Mr Owen, who had worked as a plumber's mate, was not stabbed or shot.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for information and for anyone who may have seen Mr Owen as he made his way home.

He was last seen wearing a white Bench T-shirt, blue jeans, a Calvin Klein belt and white trainers – he was between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall and had short well-kept brown hair. He sometimes wore glasses and may have been wearing them on Saturday evening.

Shocked residents said the murder had left them feeling afraid to walk the streets.

One resident, who did not want to give their name, said: "This is so awful. I spent so many hours playing on those very gardens when I was younger – now it's the scene of a murder. I hope they catch whoever was responsible soon."