Police have launched a murder hunt after a man was bludgeoned to death on a Mitcham housing estate.

The attack happened in a road between Kent Close and Huntingdon Close, on the Pollards Hill estate, at around 11pm, on Tuesday (November 6) last week. DI Reg Field, who is leading the hunt for the killers of 36-year-old Sellathurai Balasingham, said the Sri Lankan man's injuries were the worst he had ever seen.

It is believed the dead man drove his blue P-registration Honda Civic into Huntingdon Close at around 11pm even though he lived elsewhere on the estate leaving the car with the lights on and the driver's door open.

Neighbours say he was chased by two or three men onto a ramp beside one of the townhouses where he was repeatedly hit over the head with blunt instruments, possibly made of wood.

His attackers then ran towards Recreation Way, where a waiting car drove them off at high speed. Police arrived at around 11.35pm to find an ambulance, called by one of the neighbours, already at the scene.

Mr Balasingham was taken to Mayday Hospital, Croydon, but was pronounced dead just after midnight. A post mortem confirmed he died from his head injuries.

DI Field told the Guardian the man had been hit over the head at least seven times, "probably more than that".

He said: "He had massive head injuries. I've done this job for a number of years and I've not seen anybody's skull so badly damaged."

Police are looking for at least three dark-skinned or light-tanned men, possibly Sri Lankan, in their early 30s, who are slim and between 5ft 6ins and 5ft10ins.

Call the Serious Crime Group Incident Room, on 020 8247 4567 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, with any information.

November 16, 2001 09:31