THIS is the man police believe could hold the key to the grisly murder of two men, whose battered bodies were found in a York bedsit.

Detectives today took the unusual step of naming 42-year-old Paul Marshall and urged the public not to approach him.

The development came after Kevin Mulgrew, 38, and Daniel Wall, 27, were found dead in Mr Marshall's Gillygate home.

Mr Marshall was last seen at the door of the council-owned flat by a City of York Council worker, who was called out to investigate what was thought to be a water leak last Tuesday.

But a plumber who arrived at the property hours later got no answer. Police later forced their way inside and discovered the two men's partially-decomposed bodies. They had both suffered severe head injuries and may have been lying there for up to a week.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, who is leading the inquiry, said officers investigating the double murder wanted to speak to Mr Marshall "in relation to the deaths" as soon as possible.

He said: "John Paul Marshall, known as Paul, of 74a Gillygate, York, was last seen by workmen from City of York Council who visited his flat to investigate what was then thought to be a water leak.

"His present whereabouts are not known and police officers have so far failed to locate him. "We are appealing for him to come forward and contact the police as a matter of urgency.

"Given the nature of this particular incident, we are advising members of the public not to approach Paul Marshall, but to report any sightings immediately to the police.

"If anyone knows his whereabouts they are asked to contact the incident room on 01904 669430 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

A team of 20 detectives were today continuing their investigation into the deaths of the two men whose bodies were found partially-covered and on the floor of the city centre property.

Police were first led to the bedsit by staff at Ovengloves Bakery, who complained of a brownish-coloured fluid coming through the ceiling and staining their walls. Neighbours also noticed a terrible smell.

Council workers thought they were dealing with a water leak, possibly from a radiator, but when police officers entered the flat last Thursday the bodies were found.

Detectives said the two dead men, who have family in York but were of no fixed address, had connections with the city's "drugs community".

Officers have asked for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the areas of Gillygate, Moatside Court or Lord Mayors Walk between November 25 and December 4 to contact them.

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, December 10, 2003