 A paedophile found battered to death in his home could have been the victim of a vigilante attack, police said today. Arnold Robin Hartley had already been subjected to a string of attacks, police and neighbours have revealed. Detectives launched a murder inquiry after the convicted sex offender was found with severe head and facial injuries in his house in Queen Street, Redcar, in the early hours of Saturday. Police today said although there were no immediate signs of forced entry, the 73-year-old may have been the victim of a vigilante attack. Officers said the pensioner, who had lived in the Redcar area all his life, had been the subject of a number of assaults in the past. Police were called to the house, just 100 yards from a nursery, after neighbours reported a disturbance in the boarded-up property at about 12.15am. They raced to the house and hours later forensic officers began combing the scene after the grisly discovery was made in a downstairs room. Today, as police gathered around the dilapidated house masked by plastic sheets, neighbours spoke out after hearing the grim news. Wendy Moore, a mum-of-six from the street, said the poor security at the private home meant the tragedy was waiting to happen. "I do not condone what he has done but he didn't deserve this," said the 37-year-old. "He really just kept himself to himself. He has been persecuted quite badly for the last few weeks. "People have even kicked his door in so hard, we heard it through the baby monitor." Mrs Moore said she was worried for the safety of her own family because of incidents at the property. She said: "It wasn't safe. People even talked about torching the house and we were worried for our safety. "He should not have been living in that environment. It is an example of how the authorities have failed him." Today floral tributes remained outside the terraced house, while forensic officers carried out their work inside. One read "RIP Rob" while another bore the message "RIP Rob. God bless you. Craig and Teri." Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said everyone on the street knew about the history of Mr Hartley, known as Robbie. He said: "He didn't bother anyone. We just warned our children to stay away." A post mortem was carried out on Saturday. The pensioner, who had previously been jailed for a string of sex offences, had suffered a number of blows to his head and face. In 2001, Mr Hartley was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to eight charges of taking indecent photographs, one of indecency with a child and three of indecent assault. Teesside Crown Court was told he lured under-age teenage girls to his house with drink and cash to take part in "lurid" photo-sessions in his studio. Cal Birkbeck, owner of the Castle Hotel, opposite Mr Hartley's two-storey home, said: "It is common knowledge he was a paedophile. He looked very meek and mild and wore glasses. "He got his car smashed up about 18 months ago and it looked like somebody had been jumping up and down on the roof." Today Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who is heading the investigation, said a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman who were helping police with their inquiries had been released. He said: "Mr Hartley had lived at that house for many years and was well-known as a sex offender. "He was on the sex offenders' register and considered to be medium risk. "Following his release from prison in April 2002, he returned to the area and subsequently went back to live at his home. This is a murder inquiry and his previous conviction will form part of that inquiry. Whatever he has done in the past does not give people the right to attack or kill him. Det Supt Dunn appealed for anyone who was in the Queen Street area between midnight and 1am to come forward. * Anyone with information should call 01642 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Page 2: Victim lived in hidden world of abuse | 
