Police urge murder suspect to hand himself in

The 53 year-old is wanted in connection with the murder of Bridlington guest house landlady, Bei Carter, on Friday (July 18) and officers described him as a “dangerous man”.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said the force was working with Humberside Police to find him.

She said: “Anyone who has seen Mr Heald or spoken to him in the last few days is asked to contact the police.”

Detectives believe Mr Heald, from Rotherham, has returned to South Yorkshire and there have been reported sightings in Rotherham and Mexborough.

A police helicopter was spotted circling over Wath this morning, while police vans gathered at Warren Vale in Swinton at lunchtime, when the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also hovering nearby.

Det Chief Insp Matt Baldwin, senior investigating officer, said: “I would appeal directly to John Heald to hand himself in at the earliest opportunity so that we can talk to him and find out what has happened.”

Detective Supt Mathew Hutchinson, leading the search for the wanted man for Humberside Police, said: “John Heald is a dangerous man and he needs to be found and arrested as a matter of urgency.

“He is wanted for a serious offence in the Sheffield area as well as for the murder of Bei Carter in Bridlington and I believe that people here in this local area know him and may well know where he is.

“It is absolutely imperative that anyone who has seen this man or has any information about his whereabouts calls the police now and tells us what they know.

“To anyone who might be helping Heald evade the police, I would say; consider your actions, this is a very dangerous man, he needs arresting before he can harm anybody else.

“I believe Heald poses a threat to the general public and therefore people should not approach him.

“If they do see him they should ring 999 immediately.”

Anyone with information can also contact the Major Incident Team on 01377 208989 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”