EVIDENCE of a sexual act has been found in the alleyway where Bishop's Stortford man Scott Newman was killed, murder inquiry head Detective Superintendent Bob Saunders has revealed.

But he was not prepared to say if there were any signs that Mr Newman engaged in sexual activity in the alleyway, off Riverside Walk, on the night he was murdered.

He said: 'It's an ideal location for that sort of activity. It would be out of the way and out of the line of sight.'

Mr Saunders said the exact details of how the 34-year-old partially deaf man was left would be something the killer would know. Those details are being kept secret by police.

Mr Newman was found dead by a passer-by at 2.24am on Sunday, July 9. He was killed by a blow to the back of the head with a blunt object, sometime after leaving a cash machine in South Street at about midnight.

It has since been revealed that he was known to have had both male and female sexual partners, and police believe his sexuality could reveal a motive to his murder.

But investigating officers had received only anecdotal evidence that Mr Newman was involved in the gay scene, from the man's associates, and not direct proof.

Mr Saunders said: 'One person said he talked in an effeminate way, but that's hardly conclusive proof.'

He said investigating officers were now awaiting detailed forensic evidence which could provide clues to the killer's identity. Some of the tests may take only days, while others which involve growing DNA could take up to 20 weeks to complete.

Depending on the results, members of the public could be asked to undergo DNA testing. Mr Saunders said the extent of that testing would be balanced between what was needed and how willing the public were to cooperate.

In an effort to trace Scott's movements between midnight and the time his body was found, letters are being written to everyone who withdrew money from bank and building society cashpoint machines in Bishop's Stortford on the evening of Saturday, July 8, and the early hours of Sunday, July 9.

Officers are also trying to trace people who may have taken a taxi to or from the town centre between those times. Several of the 120 people who offered information during a sweep of the town centre last weekend are also being spoken to further.