Couple held over year-old murder

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

The couple were detained during searches in the Tullycarnet area said a police spokesman.

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 a number of times.

Police described the killing of the man who suffered numerous health problems as savage.

Meanwhile detectives today issued a CD-fit of a man they want to question about the murder 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.

Thomas Johnston, 24, died on Monday from injuries received when a car pulled up beside him and the passenger got out and battered him around the head inflicting extensive injuries during the early hours of 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 30s, 5ft 3-5ft 4in tall, well built with broad shoulders and shaven head.

The man has a long oval face, possibly with a pockmarked complexion and a feint scar or crease on the right cheek.