NI: Man held over pensioner's death

A 38-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the death of a pensioner who was mugged in Northern Ireland.

A further post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine if James Connor, 67, was murdered.

Mr Connor, from Hartington Court, Belfast, died in hospital after being assaulted and robbed near Ann Street in the city centre on Wednesday evening.

Detectives last night released CCTV footage of the robber being chased from the scene of the attack and throwing away the wallet he had stolen from his victim.

Mr Connor was attacked from behind and struck a number of times on the head outside the Mermaid Bar in Wilson Court, off High Street, in broad daylight, at about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Five minutes later, an 85-year-old man who had left the Monaco Bar in Lombard Street, on the other side of High Street, was knocked to the ground, punched in the head and had his wallet taken.

Police investigating the attacks said they believe they are linked and were carried out by the same man.

Detective Inspector Jeff Smyth, the officer leading the inquiry, said both pensioners had been struck a number of times on the head by their attacker, whose modus operandi was lying in wait in isolated alleys, waiting to attack the vulnerable.

He said there had clearly been premeditation in both attacks.

Belfast councillors said they were horrified by the brutality of the daylight attacks on the elderly.

Some called for greater policing resources to be moved into the city centre.