Murder investigation after man dies during burglary in Leicestershire

A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a man following a house break-in.

The victim, who was in his 60s, was attacked after confronting the intruder during the daylight burglary in the town of Wigston, Leicestershire.

Both he and another man at the property – the second in his 70s – were assaulted before their assailant made off with an amount of cash.

Leicestershire Police said the younger of the pair had been taken to hospital with chest injuries, but died hours later. The older man suffered only minor injuries.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Blockley, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit major crime team, said: "This man lost his life as a result of the mindless actions of someone who entered the house and took a quantity of cash.”

He called for possible witnesses to the break-in which occurred in the town’s Gibson Close at around 3.45pm on Monday afternoon.

“This incident happened at a time when many people will have been collecting children from school or making their way home from work,” he said.

"Did you see anyone or any vehicles in the area acting in a manner that seemed unusual, suspicious or caught your attention? You may not have thought much of it at the time, but think back. Any information you have may help our investigation.”

He did not say if the burglar was known to the property’s occupants or how much money was stolen.