The family of a man who was killed by his lover have urged victims of domestic violence not to stay silent.

Michael Polding was found dead in his flat in St George's Road, Brighton, on July 16 2012 after he suffered multiple injuries in an assault.

His boyfriend, Ricardo Pisano, was jailed for 18 and a half years last week after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Polding, wounding him and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body.

Mr Polding's sister, Mary McKeown, and her husband Sam have now spoken publicly to encourage others who are in abusive relationships to talk to someone about it.

In a moving video they speak of the need for victims to seek help before it is too late.

Mr McKeown said: "Michael was a great one for thinking that everything would be alright eventually and maybe he didn't share his problems enough.

"It's important that anybody who is being abused seek help where you can. Don't be ashamed. Tell your family, they will understand."

Mrs McKeown said: "If you've got the slightest inkling that someone you know, whether they be a brother, sister, whether they are gay or straight, I don't care - if you've got any feeling that they could be in an abusive relationship, and by that I mean emotionally, physically or financially, do something about it.

"I wouldn't like another family to go through what we've been through.

"By doing this and saving even one person irrespective of their age, sex or sexuality or gives one person the strength to walk away it will be worth it."

Domestic abuse is always treated as a priority by the force but due to the regular increase in incidents throughout the festive season extra patrols are on duty to manage and respond to calls for urgent help.

The extra patrols will continue up to and including Wednesday 1 January.

For advice and support, and for further imformation about the Talk To Us campaign, visit www.sussex.police.uk or call 101 or 01273 470101

For updates about the force's domestic violence campaign use the Twitter hashtag #talktous.