Ian Clarke A 42-year-old man has today been arrested in connection with the murder of a 73-year-old convicted paedophile who was found in woodland near a Bernard Matthews poultry factory.

Ian Clarke

Police investigating the murder of a 73-year-old convicted paedophile believe he may have been in Eaton Park in Norwich up to three days after he was last seen alive.

The body of Gordon Boon, of Westwick Street, Norwich, was discovered on Monday last week at Rabbit Lane, Great Witchingham. He had been strangled and covered with fence panels.

Detectives today released on bail a 42-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder.

A team of six officers were also combing a section of the park close to the concrete tennis courts, and had also sealed off a nearby flat on the corner of Pettus Road and Peckover Road as part of the murder inquiry with a squad car posted outside.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Boon in and around the park between Friday October 3 and Monday October 6.

Neighbours in Pettus Road said the flat was occupied by a man who had moved in a few months ago.

The 42-year-old was arrested on Tuesday. No more information has been revealed about him or where he was arrested or where he is from.

Mr Boon was last seen alive in the area of the Maids Heads Hotel in Norwich on Friday October 3.

Police have said it was “common sense” that his past would form an important part of any investigation, although it is not the only line of inquiry.

It is not yet known if he was killed at the spot where he was found or if the attack took place elsewhere before his body was transported.

In 2001 Mr Boon, then 66, was jailed for six years after admitting two offences of indecent assault and two serious sexual offences against one girl, two indecent assaults on a second and one indecent assault on a third.

Norwich Crown Court heard how he assaulted one of the victims after plying her with alcohol and playing strip poker with her. He took pornographic pictures of the girl who was 13 at the time.

The other offences were committed against another 13-year-old and an eight-year-old. At the time he was living in St Mary's Close, Attleborough, prior to moving to the city.

It is not known when he was released from jail but his sentence would have ended last year and his prison licence had expired. He was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Police still want to trace Mr Boon's final movements or hear from anyone that may have seen anything suspicious in the Rabbit Lane and Porters Lane areas of Great Witchingham.

Contact the Major Investigation Team at Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 4564567 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.