Merseyside Police have opened a murder inquiry after a retired lawyer was found dead in his own home.

Officers were called to a house in Birkenhead on Sunday where they found the body of 69-year-old Martin Decker. He was pronounced dead at the scene and a Home Office post mortem revealed the cause of death to be a severe blunt force head injury.

Merseyside Police Headquarters

Police name Martin Decker as the victim of the attack in Merseyside

Source: Keith Douglas/Alamy

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said: ‘This is obviously a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with Mr Decker’s family and friends.’

According to local reports, Decker had worked for the Crown Prosecution Service and played a key role in improvements to the prosecution of sex offenders on Merseyside, helping to set up a specialist team of lawyers and investigators in 2010.

He joined CPS Mersey Cheshire from its inception in 1986 and stayed with the organisation until he retired in July 2012.

Siobhan Blake, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: ‘We have been greatly saddened by the news of the death of our former colleague Martin Decker. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult and tragic time.’

In a statement, Decker's family said his life was spent working hard on behalf of other people and for their benefit.

'He managed a team of lawyers at the CPS, all of whom loved and admired him, they would go the extra mile for him to meet his high standards,' the statement saids

'Martin worked hard but played hard too. He loved travel and sport; he was so happy his beloved Tranmere Rovers Football Club have been doing so well this season.

'He is loved by all and his passing will leave a massive hole in our lives which can never be filled. He will be dearly missed by his mother and all his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and all family members.'

Tranmere Rovers FC, of which Decker was a season ticket holder, tweeted: