TODAY marks the first anniversary of the death of North Yorkshire murder victim David Williamson.

The 58-year-old bachelor was found unconscious on a roadside path just a few hundred yards from his home in Sutton-on-the-Forest, near Easingwold, on Monday, March 26, last year. He died later that day in hospital.

He had suffered a fractured skull and further examinations revealed he died as a result of a severe blow to the back of the head, which was likely to have been causes by a blunt instrument.

The attack happened near to a local landmark known as Bentley's Barn, on a roadside path between Sutton-on-the-Forest and the neighbouring village of Huby.

The night before he was found, Mr Williamson had visited the Star Inn, at Huby, where there had been a party.

A murder hunt was launched and a team of 25 officers were drafted in to investigate.

The genetic fingerprints were taken of everyone who had come into contact with Mr Williamson or walked past the scene of the killing after detectives isolated a DNA profile from evidence found at the scene.

This screening programme was later extended to include all males aged over 14 living in both villages.

Appeals were made on BBC's Crimewatch programme and a £5,000 reward for information was offered by Crimestoppers.

Mr Williamson's family - parents Olive and Isaac, who live in Huntington, and sister Barbara Sherwood, from York, - regularly place flowers at the spot where Mr Williamson died.

James William Payling, aged 18, of Kirkgate, Ripon, has been charged with the murder of David Williamson and is due to appear at York Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing on April 19.

Updated: 08:58 Tuesday, March 26, 2002