THE woman who found the naked body of gay murder victim Charles Hasleden has told of her horrific discovery. Naomi Spens made the gruesome find as she was walking her dogs on the beach at Ramsgate.

Miss Spens said: "I was on the beach near Dumpton Gap when my dogs, Noodle and Megan, ran off towards some rocks, sniffing around. As I got closer, I thought it was a big polythene bag stretched over a rock. Then I realised it was a naked, slumped body.

"It was face down and there was bruises on the back and head. It was stomach-churning."

Miss Spens, 31, who lives at Manston village near Ramsgate, and is a senior sales executive with the Kent Messenger Group, made her way back to the clifftop and alerted police from a public telephone box.

The find on Wednesday, October 31, has sparked a murder investigation after a post mortem revealed Mr Hasleden, 53, died from multiple injuries following an assault.

A police spokeswoman said: "It has been established that he was a gay man who frequently visited the area of Victoria Parade, King George VI Memorial Park and the undercliff at Ramsgate where he met other gay men.

"Early indications are that he was seen safe and well at 12.50am on Wednesday, October 31, on steps leading from the park to the undercliff. He was then wearing a black leather waist-length motorcycle jacket, black leather trousers, a blue v-neck top and cowboy boots."

Police are appealing to anyone who saw him in the area between 11pm on Tuesday, October 30, and when he was found to come forward. They want to speak with anyone who knew him or who saw or heard a fight or witnessed the assault leading to his death. Officers also want to speak to anyone who may have found his clothing.

Det Chief Insp Brian Roberts is heading the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at Nackington, Canterbury, telephone 01227 817028 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information. Calls to Crimestoppers are free, confidential and anonymous. Information may lead to a cash reward.