By Jonathan BarnesDETECTIVES were questioning a man last night about the murder of a pensioner who died after being attacked in his home.Russell Harvey, 73, suffered multiple stab wounds after being attacked at his home on the Gainsborough estate in Ipswich in the early hours of yesterday.

By Jonathan Barnes

DETECTIVES were questioning a man last night about the murder of a pensioner who died after being attacked in his home.

Russell Harvey, 73, suffered multiple stab wounds after being attacked at his home on the Gainsborough estate in Ipswich in the early hours of yesterday.

He was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital, where doctors battled in vain to save the widower's life, but he later died from his injuries. A Home Office pathologist was due to carry out a post-mortem examination last night.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene of the attack in Rubens Road as Suffolk police launched a murder inquiry and he was still being questioned by detectives last night.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "We have arrested a man after a pensioner was found seriously injured at an address in Ipswich.

"Officers were called to a house in Rubens Road by the ambulance service at about 2.40am yesterday morning.

"A 73-year-old man was found at the house suffering from serious injuries. He taken to Ipswich Hospital, where he died.

"Police are treating the death as murder at this stage. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is currently in custody at Ipswich Police Station."

The East Anglian Ambulance Trust said it had taken a man to Ipswich Hospital at about 2.30am, suffering from "multiple stab wounds".

Mr Harvey's semi-detached house was sealed off yesterday as police launched a murder investigation and neighbours expressed their shock on learning of Mr Harvey's death.

They said the pensioner's wife had died in recent months and he had lived at the house with two of his sons. He is also believed to have two other children, a son and a daughter.

Next-door neighbour, David Squirrell, 37, said: "It's shocking when something like this happens on your doorstep."

His wife, Debbie, added: "We went to bed at about 12.30am and didn't hear anything. It's a terrible thing to happen. He lost his wife in November. He was a lovely guy and she was lovely too. He would always speak to you."

Rubens Road resident Kevin Chetty, 28, said: "I saw two ambulances outside the house at about 3.30am and someone being taken away. I don't know what happened. It's a bit worrying really."

jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk