A CRIMINAL psychologist has warned the pervert who mutilated Stephen Prudhoe could strike again.

Police insiders have told The Chronicle a profiler brought to help shed light on the motive behind such an attack is alarmed at the nature of the incident in which Mr Prudhoe's genitals were cut off after his death.

The case is being treated as a murder because of the possibility that Mr Prudhoe's heart attack may have been brought on by terrifying circumstances.

Police have not yet received a full report from the profilers about the suspect but initial comments are worrying.

A police source said: 'What we have been told at the moment is that because of the bizarre nature of the offence, whoever has done this would or could do it again, which is a massive concern.'

A 21-year-old male, arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr Prudhoe, 49, of Blacon Point Road, Chester, will no longer return to the police station at the end of this month but he has not been completely eliminated from the inquiry.

Police have also revealed that whoever mutilated Mr Prudhoe's private parts was either let in or let themselves in through the front door given there are no signs of forced entry.

Ugly rumours have also circulated about the reasons behind the nature of the mutilation inflicted on Mr Prudhoe's body but police say there is 'nothing in his private life' which would suggest a motive.

Detective Inspector Mark Tasker, who is heading the inquiry, said: 'This is a difficult and disturbing incident, baffling in its motive, and deeply worrying for the local community. Stephen Prudhoe largely kept his own company and appears to have few close friends.

'However, those who knew him in passing liked him, and he appears to have no known enemies. Our inquiries to date have failed to establish why anybody would deliberately desecrate the body of this man as he lay dead in his own home.

'There is no evidence of forced entry, which could suggest that Stephen let in his attacker before he died. There is nothing in his private life which suggests why his corpse would be treated in this way.

'For these reasons I would urge anybody with any information, who has not yet come forward for whatever reason, to make contact with my officers so that the events that took place in Stephen's house almost two and a half months ago can finally be resolved.'

Chester police have been unable to link match the mutilation with any other cases elsewhere in the country. Forensic submissions gathered from the scene continue to be examined for further clues.

Mr Prudhoe had lived at his home address for about seven years. A single man, he lived alone, except for his dog Milo, whom he would walk several times a day making him highly visible in the close-knit community.

The victim also drank and smoked and would daily visit the local Spar shop in Western Avenue to purchase alcohol. Mr Prudhoe had three close friends and enjoyed listening to rock music.

It was on Wednesday, March 10, that a neighbour decided to check on Mr Prudhoe as he had not been seen and she found his body.

Mr Prudhoe was last been seen alive at 11.30am the day before at his house. Detectives continue to appeal to anyone who can help regarding the deceased's movements or callers to his home between the time of the last sighting and his body being discovered.

A post-mortem examination found that Stephen Prudhoe had not been well. He had pneumonia, and a heart attack had contributed to his death.

However, the Home Office pathologist also concluded that Stephen's body had been mutilated as it lay on the floor of his home after he died. Police believe this was done at the victim's home where his body was found, but cannot confirm that this was where he died.

Speculation that Stephen's dog Milo, who was found in the house with his dead master, was responsible for the mutilation have been firmly disproved.

An incident room continues to operate from Chester police station.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who:

May have seen Mr Prudhoe between 11.30am on Tuesday March 9, and 5pm on Wednesday, March 10.

Has any knowledge of callers to Stephen's home, either on a regular or casual basis.

Any information on Mr Prudhoe's associates.

Information on the victim's habits and movements.

May have seen or heard anything unusual in the Blacon Point Road area during March 9 or 10.

Anyone with information can contact officers at the incident room on 01244 615522. Alternatively, information can be left in confidence on the Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111.