THE VICTIM at the centre of a murder investigation in Hampshire was a former University of Southampton lecturer.

Police were called to the home of Dr Barry Hounsome in Southcroft Road, Gosport, at 5.30pm on Monday.

A murder inquiry was launched after the death of the lecturer, who specialised in health science, who died of a head injury.

Dr Hounsome, 54, carried out research into dementia and Parkinson's disease, and previously worked for Southampton and Bangor universities.

He lived at the property with his wife, Natalia, who is originally from Russia and currently works at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School as a senior lecturer in global health economics, and their son.

A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed a 16-year-old boy had been arrested and they were treating the death as an "isolated incident".

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named said: "I was at home but I didn't see or hear anything, then police and ambulance arrived at about 5.30pm.

"I knew he and his wife were academics and he was very intelligent once you spoke to him.

"They were always very friendly although they kept themselves to themselves, they were quite a private family. They enjoyed gardening and have an allotment.

"It has come completely out of the blue, we are absolutely gobsmacked and quite shaken by it all."

The police spokesman said: "Officers were called to an address where the body of Barry Hounsome, 54, of Southcroft Road, Gosport, was discovered.

"His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specialist officers.

"A post-mortem examination concluded that he died as a result of a head injury.

"A 16-year-old boy, from Gosport, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.

"We understand that there will be concern in the community but we would like to reassure residents that this is being treated as an isolated incident."