DETECTIVES this morning revealed a man found dead in a stream had been murdered after an attack some three weeks before his body was found.

Shawn Williams, who was also known as Simon, was found dead in woodland in the Coxford area of Southampton a week ago today, having suffered serious head injuries.

Police this morning revealed the 42-year-old had been beaten up several miles away, in the Northam area of the city, on Saturday, July 3 - 17 days before they found him.

Officers have told how CCTV footage showed Mr Williams walking towards the Coxford area, and that was the last time he was seen alive.

Shortly before, he had discharged himself from Southampton General Hospital, where he had been taken by paramedics who found him around 8.50am in a bus stop on Northam Road.

Detectives believe Mr Williams, who they described as "very distinctive" - he was 6ft 5in tall with ginger hair, weighed 17-18 stone, had size 11 feet and was of athletic build - had been attacked from behind, possibly by a gang, in Princes Court, at the back of flats.

The area is used as a car park and has several garages lying under the shadow of The Millbank Tower.

Mr Williams' bag was found lying on the floor. The police don't know whether he discarded it, or if it was taken from him by whoever carried out the assault.

Detectives from the Major crime Department are now leading the murder inquiry and today said they have no idea who was responsible, but urged the local community to help them.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Powell said: "The answer to why he is dead is right here in the Northam estate.

"We are treating the death of Shawn Williams as murder and we believe that the serious head injuries he received from this assault led to his death.

"We know Mr Williams discharged himself from hospital a few hours after he was admitted and he is seen on CCTV walking out of the hospital, not far from where his body was eventually found, in woodland off Springford Road.

"I need help from the people of Northam to come forward and tell us what they know."

Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw Mr Williams on the estate between 7.30am and 8.30am on Saturday, July 3, particularly anyone who saw the assault or heard or saw a group of people in the area that morning.

Mr Williams was wearing an extra large purple round-neck t-shirt, dark blue trousers and Asics gel trainers when his body was found.

Call the major crime department at Hulse Road on 101, quoting Operation Savannah, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.