DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a pensioner in his Chittering home have released details of four watches that were stolen from the house.

Llywelyn Thomas, 76, was murdered at his home in Ely Road on the evening of Saturday, December 17.

He was last seen alive at about 6.30pm. His silver Rover 75 estate, registration BJ51 CJV, was dumped in Church Lane, Milton, at about 11.30pm.

He died from head injuries. Detectives believe he may have been killed after a burglary went wrong.

Now officers have identified several valuable items that may have been stolen from the house.

They include:

- Seiko Bell-Matic men’s watch, with marks on the glass and a loose shoulder strap. It has a silver dial and a stainless silver bracelet. This was a present to his son on his 13th or 14th birthday.

- Roamer men’s watch. Rose gold in a 1940s or 50s design. It has a champagne coloured face with rose gold hands and numerals – 12, 3, 6, 9. It has a thin dark leather bracelet. It was a gift to Mr Thomas from his late wife.

- Tag Heuer watch – kept in a leather/suedette box. This was a retirement gift and had never been worn. It has a silver and gold bracelet, two-tone satin metal and is a late 90s model with a silver or white face.

- Breitling (copy) – purchased in Thailand. Stainless steel with quartz movement.

Detective Superintendent Jeff Hill said: “These watches are very distinctive and would be instantly recognisable. Many of them are also of sentimental value – either as a retirement gift, a present to his son or from his wife.

“It is vitally important we track down these items as soon as possible. I would urge anyone who has been offered these items or knows of their whereabouts to call police.”

Along with the watches, a silver tea set which was a wedding gift was stolen. It comprises a Victorian-style tea pot, sugar bowl and cream jug. The tea pot was heavily decorated with a sculpted pattern. It had a black handle on the tea pot and a black flower shaped, or fluted knob, on the lid. The sugar bowl has silver handles.

A black leather horseshoe men’s wallet was also taken.

Detectives believe more than one person would have been present at the house when Mr Thomas was killed, but may not have had any involvement in his death.

Det Supt Hill said: “I would urge anyone who was in the house on that night to contact police. We believe this started out as a burglary which went terribly wrong. There may well be people out there who were in the house and know what happened.

“We need to speak to those people and establish exactly what happened. We are currently carrying out a raft of forensic tests at the house which hopefully will establish who was there on the night Mr Thomas died.

“If you were present, it is very likely you would have left a trace in the house. If you were not directly involved in the murder of Mr Thomas it is very much in your interest to contact police and let us know what happened.”

Forensic tests are set to continue for at least two weeks.

Police are still following up leads gleaned from the stop check on the A10 on Saturday night – four weeks after Mr Thomas died. Detectives still want to hear from anyone who was in the area between Chittering and Milton on the evening of Saturday, December 17, and saw Mr Thomas’ silver Rover being driven.

It had mechanical problems and is likely to have been making a lot of noise and travelling slowly.

Anyone with any information should call the Major Investigations Team on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.