The development was revealed hours after a £20,000 reward was offered for information on the killing of 84-year-old Sean Small in Newcastle.
Detectives said Small died after “a brutal and sustained attack”.
And tonight, in a major development, police revealed an arrest had been made.
The PSNI said: “A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody at this time.”
Detectives said Sean Small died after “a brutal and sustained attack”.
News Catch Up – Tuesday 26th August
Small’s body was discovered outside his home in Newcastle after he had not been seen for several days.
Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team said officers are working “at pace” to establish the full circumstances and have appealed for public assistance.
It is believed Small was last seen alive on August 19, five days before his body was found outside his property on Slievenabrock Avenue on Sunday evening.
Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 26th August 2025
The scene at Slievenabrock Avenue where police are continuing their murder investigation after a man was found dead on Sunday night.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman speaks the the media at Newcastle Police Station regarding the miurder.
Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Police also confirmed that there had been a previous incident of criminal damage at his home in recent weeks, though details of that incident remain unclear.
DCI Foreman said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the victim.
“We received a report at around 10.30pm, on Sunday August 24, that a man in his 80s had been found outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle.
“Sadly, the man was pronounced dead and has been named as 84-year-old Sean Small from the town.
“This was a brutal and sustained attack and while our investigation is at a very early stage, Detectives are working at pace to determine the circumstances around this murder. In order to do this, we need the public’s help.”
Detectives said Sean Small died after “a brutal and sustained attack”.
£20,000 reward offered for information on the murder of Newcastle man Sean Small
Small was jailed in 2022 for a series of child sex offences committed over a period of nearly two years.
Following a hearing at Newry Crown Court, Small pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges, including four counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, and one count of inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
The offences were carried out against two female victims between September 30, 2016, and April 2, 2018.
He served three years of his sentence in prison, with the remainder to be served on licence.
During sentencing, Judge Gordon Kerr KC said Small had demonstrated “limited insight” into the impact of his actions and had shown “an element of victim blaming.”
“It’s perfectly clear that the behaviour has had serious consequences for the victims,” added Judge Kerr.
Following the 2022 hearing, police described Small’s crimes as “sickening”.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, DCI Foreman urged anyone with information to come forward.
The charity, Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given directly to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Sean Small.
Photos and footage – including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage – can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U19-PO1
Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org