Man and woman arrested in year-old murder case

A man and woman were arrested on the outskirts of east Belfast today by police investigating a murder committed over a year ago…

A man and woman were arrested on the outskirts of east Belfast today by police investigating a murder committed over a year ago.

The couple were detained during searches in the Tullycarnet area, a police spokesman said. They were being questioned about the killing of Arthur Berryman (46) who was stabbed to death in his east Belfast home at the end of October 2001.

A lone man forced his way into the victim's home when his wife opened the front door and stabbed Mr Berryman several times. Police described the killing of the man, who numerous health problems, as savage.

In a separate case, detectives today issued a CD-fit of a man they want to question about a killing of another man who died in hospital yesterday after being attacked and beaten in the street in the Shankill Road area of west Belfast at the weekend.

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Thomas Johnston (24) died from injuries sustained when a car pulled up beside him and the passenger got out and battered him around the head early on Sunday morning. A woman walking with the victim was also struck across the face.

The CD-fit is said by police to be a "very good likeness" of a man they want to question.

He is described as being in his mid-thirties; of five feet, four inches in height; and well-built with broad shoulders and shaven head. The man is thought to have a long oval face, possibly with a pockmarked complexion and a faint scar or crease on the right cheek.