Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead at a house.

Emergency services discovered the body of Simon Sneddon at the two-bedroom, end-terrace property in Darlington, County Durham on Friday morning.

The 25-year-old had suffered serious injuries to his body and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper carried out a post-mortem examination, which concluded Mr Sneddon had died from "multiple, traumatic injuries".

Two men, aged 19 and 23, and a 30-year-old woman, all from Darlington, are being questioned, Durham Police said.

Mr Sneddon, who was known by his first name or sometimes as 'Si', was of no fixed abode.

Police said he was originally from the Barnard Castle area but is thought to have been sleeping at a number of different addresses recently either in Darlington or on Teesside.

A detailed forensic examination of the scene was carried out for much of yesterday and officers have been conducting house to house enquiries in the area.

Detective Superintendent Ken Donnelly, who is leading the investigation, said: "Simon was the victim of a sustained, vicious beating which probably happened during Thursday night or in the early hours of Friday.

"I am appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary during that time to come forward.

"If they feel unable to speak to the police directly I would urge them to ring Crimestoppers and pass on whatever information they have."

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