Police appeal over Brighton man’s death
Police are appealing for information after the body of a 63-year-old gay man was found in Brighton.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned in London over the death of Michael Polding, who had recently moved to Brighton from south London.
Mr Polding moved to St Georges Road, Brighton in 2011 to start a new life, his family said.
The body of the deceased man thought to be Mr Polding, though he has not yet been formally identified, was found last Monday but it is believed he could have died as long ago as May.
A police investigation was begun due to injuries he had suffered and they want to speak with anyone who had contact with Mr Polding in May.
In a statement, his family said: “In the 1970s he decided to move to London where he felt it would be easier to live as an openly gay man. He spent many happy years in Croydon living with his partner Henry until he sadly died in 2001.
“He worked at St George’s Hospital in Croydon for 15 years in the urology department. He enjoyed working with people and helping them while they were receiving treatment.
“Last year he decided to move to Brighton as he wanted to start a new life in the gay community in the city.
“Michael was a kind and caring man. Despite the distance between us he kept in close contact and we will miss him greatly.”
Detective Chief Inspector Nick May of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “We are continuing to put together a picture of the circumstances surrounding Mr Polding’s death and how he sustained his injuries.
“It is thought that he may have died sometime in May and we are still appealing for anyone who spoke to him in May this year to contact police.
“Our investigation so far has led us to believe that his death is not linked to any hate crime as a result of his sexuality and that any assault he may have suffered was not as a result of a random attack.”
Anyone with information about Mr Polding is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Journal, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
