Murder suspect 'was online dater'

Clare Wood was found dead at her home in Salford on Friday

A number of women have told detectives they had online contact with a wanted murder suspect through dating and social networking websites.

Police want to trace George Appleton, 40, after Clare Wood, 36, was found badly burnt in her home in Blackfriars, Salford, Greater Manchester, on Friday.

Mr Appleton is known to use aliases on the websites he visits.

Police are urging women not to meet up with him as they believe he could pose a "serious threat".

Members of the public are being urged to call the police if they see or hear from him.

Police believe Ms Wood, who has a 10-year-old daughter, had been in a relationship with Mr Appleton.

Police believe George Appleton is a serious threat to women

CCTV footage of Mr Appleton, taken outside his house in Adelphi Court, Salford, on Thursday, was released by police at the weekend.

He is seen wearing tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe down them, white Reebok trainers, a dark puffer jacket and a woolly hat with brown, red and purple stripes.

Officers are now checking the Leicestershire, Gloucestershire and Warrington areas, where he is known to have links.

Police said it was possible he could be driving a red Ford Escort estate, registration N554 HYG, and that he could be sleeping in the car.

Det Supt Pete Jackson, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are investigating the horrible murder of a young mum, and are leaving no stone unturned to find the person who killed her.

'Proper help'

"We want to emphasise that anyone who has heard from Appleton in the last few days, or who might know where he is, should not try to arrange to meet him but should call us straight away.

"Please think about whether you might have seen his car, or whether you recognise the man pictured in the CCTV, and call us."

Mr Jackson added: "George, if you are hearing this message, please listen to me.

"I want to speak to you and I want you to get some help.

"Please phone your solicitor or the police. Please tell us where you are and whether you are okay, so we can get you some proper help."

Ms Wood's grandparents, Geoff and Catherine Camponi, said: "Clare was a lovely, kind person who would never harm anyone.

"She was lovely to be with and very cheerful. She was a bundle of fun, she'd have given you the last penny she had. She did not deserve what's happened to her."