Matthew Goddard beaten and then murdered with his electric guitar

MURDERSQUAD detectives have arrested a third man over the brutal killing in east Belfast of Matthew Goddard on Christmas Eve.

A 25-year-old man from east Belfast was arrested on Wednesday by officers from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team.

Two men, aged 29 and 35, were arrested a day earlier and are still being questioned.

Matthew Goddard was found dead in his house in Chobham Street around 9.40 pm Christmas Eve.

He was last seen alive at about 6 pm on December 23.

Police said Mr Goddard was killed in a “sustained and brutal attack” and had been beaten with his electric guitar and other objects.

The officer leading the murder hunt, Detective Chief Inspector John McVea, said: “I am renewing my appeal for information.

“I am asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Beersbridge Road or Ravenscroft Avenue area between 11.30 pm and midnight on 23 December to contact detectives.”

A number of arrests have been made as part of the investigation, but no-one has been charged.