A ROMANIAN national is being hunted by detectives investigating the murder of a man killed in a “sustained and ferocious assault” at his Birmingham home.

Officers said they “urgently” wanted to trace Florian Baboi, also known as Jildow, for questioning over the violent death of David McArthur.

But they urged the public not to approach him.

The 63-year-old man was found dead at his Northfield home on Monday afternoon after neighbours in Woodbrooke Grove had become worried that he had not been seen over the weekend.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr McArthur had been beaten to death and died of a blunt forced trauma following the assault, believed to have happened sometime between Friday and Monday when his body was found.

However, a motive for the murder of Mr McArthur has remained a mystery.

Det Insp Wayne Jones, from Force CID who leading the investigation, said Baboi was a Romanian national with connections to the West Midlands, particularly West Bromwich, and also London.

The last sighting of him was in the West Bromwich area but efforts to trace him over the past two days have drawn a blank.

Police have now taken the unusual step of naming Baboi in connection with the incident and releasing a photograph of him.

“The motive for the attack on Mr McArthur is still unknown” said Det Insp Jones.

“The victim may have possibly known his assailant but all other lines of inquiry are being pursued.

“What is clear is that Mr McArthur was subjected to a sustained and ferocious assault and we need to trace the offender.

“Anyone with information about Florian Baboi is urged not to approach him but to ring West Midlands Police Force CID or 999 should they know his whereabouts.”

In a statement, his heartbroken family said: “David was the nicest man you could wish to meet and would never harm a fly.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 0345 113 5000 or 999.