Investigations have been reopened into the murder of a 28-year-old man who was found beaten to death at his flat in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, in June 1998.

Charlie Strain was last seen getting out of a taxi on the evening of Sunday 31 May 1998 to walk to his flat at Carnhill Walk in the town.

A shift-worker, he was due to work at a local meat processing plant on the evening of Monday 1 June.

He did not appear and when he failed to show up the next night his father became concerned.

Shortly after 10.30 on Wednesday 3 June 1998 his father, Charles Strain Senior, called at the flat.

Mr Strain eventually forced entry and discovered his son lying dead on the settee in the living room. The victim had received fatal injuries as a result of a beating to his head and body.

Police carried out an investigation at the time and a renewed appeal for information was made in 2003.

A number of individuals were arrested but no one has been charged in connection with Charlie’s murder.

Now, as the fifteenth anniversary of the murder approaches, detectives from Serious Crime Branch have re-opened the investigation.

Police are keen to speak with anyone with information about the attack or about what led to the attack taking place.

Three '999' calls were made on Monday 1 June about an assault at different addresses within the Carnhill Walk block of flats. Police know the calls were made at phone boxes on Bridewell Drive and Oakfield Drive in Carrickfergus and are trying to track the identities of the callers.

Investigators also want to speak with anyone who saw Charlie Strain on the evening of Sunday 31 May, the last night he was seen alive; specifically anyone who saw or spoke to him in Chandlers Bar or later at the Tourist Inn at Eden.

Detective Inspector Peter Montgomery said: "We have a number of pieces of evidence which lead me to believe that progress can still be made in this case, despite the passage of time. I believe there are people still in the area who know those responsible for the attack on Charlie which led to his death and who know about the events leading up to his death.

"I would appeal to anyone with knowledge about the events of those days at the end of May and start of June 15 years ago in Carnhill Walk and elsewhere to come forward and talk to us. Your information could provide us with the vital link to enable us to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion."

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 028 9070 0727 or 07585 228 283. The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(IT/CD)