DETERCTIVES continue to investigate the murder of Londoner John William Harvey whose smouldering body was found in a field near Killington Lake on April 25.

The man leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Keith Churchman, said Cumbrian officers working in London were still trying to find a motive for the murder and piece together the last days of Mr Harvey's life.

"What we have been able to establish is that Mr Harvey has a number of previous convictions, but at this stage we have not been able to determine whether this, or indeed any other circumstances of his past or most current lifestyle, may indicate why he was killed and his body disposed of in such a brutal fashion," he said.

Mr Harvey, a well known figure in the East End of London who went by the name of John-John, died from head injuries. Officers are working on the assumption that he was killed elsewhere and his body dumped in the field near the M6 junction at Killington Services where it was then set alight with petrol.

Investigators are appealing for information from anyone who saw Mr Harvey after the last known sighting of him alive in a laundrette at Northaw, near Potters Bar, on 11.30am, Tuesday, April 22.

They would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen petrol, or a petrol container, being bought under suspicious circumstances.

The Operation Junction incident room can be contacted on 01539-722611.

May 9, 2003 11:00