Murder victim James Attfield, 33, sustained 102 injuries, police have today revealed.

Speaking at a press conference, investigating officers from Essex Police said the father-of-five suffered injuries to his hands, neck, face and back.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett said: “This was a violent, frenzied attack on a vulnerable young man.”

Mr Attfield’s body was found in Lower Castle Park shortly before 5.45am on Saturday morning by a member of the public.

Paramedics were called but Mr Attfield, of East Bay, Colchester, was declared dead at the scene at 6.30am after efforts to revive him failed.

Police divers are set to search the nearby lake for the murder weapon, believed to be a knife at this stage.

Chief Superintendent Carl O’Malley said today that extra patrols will continue in Colchester as public safety is of utmost importance.

Mr Attfield spent Friday night at the Riverlodge, in Colchester, where police say he was a regular.

Paying tribute to her son, his mother Julie Finch said: “Jim had always preferred going for a drink in a quiet ‘old man’s pub’ rather than clubbing and never had many friends his own age.”

She said he had an accident four years ago which left him with a brain injury and caused the left side of his body to be weak. The injury affected his reasoning and speech.

She described him as“shy and polite” and said he was much loved and would be missed by those who knew him.

Anyone with information about Mr Attfield’s murder is asked to contact the North Major Investigation Team at Essex Police on 01206 576845 or 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.