An antiques dealer found dead in his flat had been beaten and stabbed, an inquest heard.

Michael Martin who was found dead in Worthing, suffered multiple traumas, a coroner was told.

Following a post mortem examination, the cause of death was given as multiple blunt and sharp force traumas.

Emergency services were called to the flat on St Botolph's Road in Worthing on Friday, March 22.

The 72-year-old died at the scene, the court heard.

"Mr Martin was found with multiple injuries which he had sadly died as a result of," coroner's officer Eloise Palfrey told the hearing at Edes House in Chichester.

Mr Martin was a widower and retired antiques dealer, originally from Brighton.

Sukhjit Bains, 46, from Crawley appeared by video at a short hearing in Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday charged with murder.

The court heard he will face trial in August.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the family at this extremely difficult time.

"This is believed to have been an isolated incident that did not pose a wider risk to the community.

“Further witnesses or anyone with information about what happened is asked to come forward to Sussex Police, and quote Operation Orchid.”

Coroner Karen Henderson said an inquest will be heard on October 28.

Residents in St Botolph's Road said the murder investigation over the weekend rocked their “quiet” neighbourhood.

George and Susan Emerson, who live just a few doors down from Aspen Court where Sussex Police were investigating, said they were shocked by the incident.

The couple, who have lived in the area for 12 years, said they had never seen anything like it in their street.

“It’s a quiet residential area," said 62-year-old Mrs Emerson.

“There’s a lot of older couples around here and a lot of care homes."

Others told The Argus they had always felt safe in the area, with one anonymous resident who has lived in West Worthing for 40 years expressing her surprise.