Phil Towers

West Yorkshire Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a local man after 40-year-old Dr Andrew Gregson was found dead last night at Tyker University.

The body was found by a cleaner at the university, with police confirming that the post-mortem found the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.

Police are looking for 36-year-old Ashley Cartwright, who is employed by the university.

He is described as approximately 170cm tall, white, slim with brown hair and stubble, and was last seen wearing a green parka-style coat and jeans.

Police have asked the public not to approach him but to call 999 if they know of his whereabouts.

Detective Inspector Susan Eccles, speaking at a press conference this morning, said: “North Leeds CID want to speak to Ashley Cartwright in connection to the investigation.

“He was last seen on Tyker Campus on the evening of Dr Gregson’s death.”

When asked if there was any known relationship between the victim and the suspect, she replied: “All we know is that they were acquainted.”

The police don’t believe there to be any risk to the public from any further attacks, and the suspect was not already known to them.

Dr Gregson was a lecturer in criminology at Cambridge City University but was a regular guest speaker at Tyker University.

He leaves a husband and their young son.

Tyker University will hold a memorial service for Dr Gregson this Friday at noon in the chapel.

Anybody with any information is urged to contact the police on 999.

Alternatively, contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.