Police are searching a property for the body of a murdered businessman who disappeared over a decade ago.

Dad-of-three Jesse Richards, 40, was killed in a "merciless and sustained" attack in Evesham, Worcestershire in July 2009 - but his remains have never been found.

Brothers, James Doe, 39, formerly of Southminster and his brother Joseph, 37 who previously lived in Heybridge and Tatteralls Chase, Southminster were among a five-man gang sentenced to a total of 58 years in prison in 2012.

James, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter was sentenced to 17 years in prison, as well as five year term for a separate blackmail charge, which runs concurrently.

Joseph was jailed for four years for assisting an offender.

Three others were also jailed.

Detectives believe Jesse's body was taken to Warwickshire and disposed of after he was attacked by a gang of armed thugs over a £1 million drugs debt.

The "passive family man" was said to have begged for his life before he was brutally assaulted with a range of weapons, including a pickaxe, and bundled into a van.

Now, officers from West Mercia Police said they were searching an address in Smorral Lane, Corley, Warwickshire as part of the investigation into Mr Richards' death.