A man who was murdered in Norwich could have been dead for days before he was found.

Michael Currer, 59, known as Mick to his family and friends, was found dead at his home in Saffron Square, Catton Grove, at 7am on November 12.

A post-mortem examination concluded he died as a result of severe chest and facial injuries.

The matter was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), after it emerged Mr Currer had been in contact with police just days before his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Guy said: 'We believe that he was fit and well on the night of Tuesday, November 8 and we believe that he was fit and well on the morning of Wednesday November 9.

'We believe Michael made a phone call to police at 9.50am on Wednesday.'

Det Chf Insp Guy, who has listened to the call, said Mr Currer called police via 999 but did not want them to attend.

He said: 'I've listened to the call. The control room did try to get some details from him to ascertain why he had rung.

'He's quite evasive because he doesn't want the police to attend and doesn't want to give details.'

Det Chf Insp Guy said no-one else could be heard in the background and he 'was not being assaulted at that time'.

'It was very odd. We you get calls like that, then what the police will always do is err on the side of caution and attend anyway.

'And that's what happened but when police got to his home address he refused to let them in and co-operate and told them to go away.'

Det Chf Insp Guy said there was 'no evidence' to suggest the man who answered police was not Mr Currer.

The body of Mr Currer was found three days later but it is not known exactly when he died.

Det Chf Insp Guy said: 'We can't be certain exactly when Michael died unfortunately.

'What we do know is the injuries he had had some survivability but what that means in terms of how long we don't know it's possible he could've been there from Wednesday until he was discovered.'

He added that there were no other sightings of Mr Currer after Wednesday, November 9.

Det Chf Insp Guy said the injuries suffered by Mr Currer were consistent with a 'sustained beating' from punching and kicking.

He said he does not believe a weapon was involved.

Det Chf Insp Guy also sought to reassure the public by insisting there was no evidence to suggest a link between this murder and the recent death of Steve Stannard in Bowers Avenue.

Because of the police contact prior to Mr Currer's death, the matter was referred to the IPCC as part of standard procedure. It has since authorised a local investigation by Norfolk Constabulary which will take place in due course.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: 'Norfolk police did refer it to us but we've sent it back for local investigation so we don't have any involvement.'

Two people, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s, were arrested on Friday, November 18 in connection with the murder and are currently on police bail, pending further inquiries, until February.

Anyone with information should call 101.