PSNI detectives have issued a fresh appeal for information on the 24th anniversary of the murder of Arthur Berryman, who was killed in his East Belfast home on Thursday, 31 October 2001.

The 46-year-old victim was at his residence in Imperial Street in the Woodstock area when he was stabbed multiple times around 11.30pm.

Mr Berryman was sitting in his living room when a masked man forced entry to the property. The victim's wife answered a knock at the door and was immediately confronted by the attacker, who was wielding a knife. The assailant pushed her to the ground before entering the house and stabbing Mr Berryman, who died at the scene from his multiple injuries.

The assailant was described as wearing a dark coloured jacket with the hood up, and his face was concealed with a light coloured mask. Following the sustained attack, the man is believed to have fled on foot into a nearby alleyway beside the house.

Detective Inspector Ailish McCrissican from the Legacy Investigation Branch (LIB) said: 'This was a savage and sustained attack on a defenceless man in his home.

"We are exploring a number of potential motives for the murder, however we do not believe the attack on Arthur was in any way sectarian.

"While two people, a man and woman, were charged in connection with the murder, the charges were later withdrawn and no-one has been convicted to date. "I am appealing to anyone who may have been on Imperial Street or the surrounding streets before or after the murder and who may have seen the attacker - please speak with police."

Detective Inspector McCrissican confirmed that as part of their Case Allocation Model, detectives are conducting a number of enquiries and speaking again to witnesses. She appealed directly to those who may have been reluctant to speak out previously:

"In the years since Arthur's murder, people's circumstances and allegiances may have changed. If you have any knowledge of what happened that night, but have not spoken to police previously, please do so now. You may have heard accounts of what happened, either in the immediate aftermath or over the following years.

"Despite the amount of time that has passed since the murder, it is not too late. If anyone now feels they are able to talk to us, we are ready to listen. Twenty-four years have passed but Arthur’s family continue to suffer the devastating effects of this senseless murder.

"Anyone with information can contact detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch on 101. Direct line is 028 9258 9258 or via email at L&DSec@psni.police.uk"

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call

Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org