ANY people found to have been protecting the killers of a man burned to death in his flat will face justice, police are warning.

Anyone who is believed to have harboured suspects or lied to police probing the murder of Andrew Heath will be fully investigated, the police officer in charge of the inquiry detective chief inspector Paul Williamson has said.

His warning comes after new information came to light following his public appeal in the Worcester News last month.

He said anyone found to have concealed key information from detectives will also have cause to fear arrest and prosecution.

The killers of Mr Heath remain at large after a fire ripped through his first-floor flat in Chedworth Close, Warndon, Worcester, where he lived alone, in December.

A wheelie bin had been pushed against his front door, then set alight.

By the time firefighters had battled their way through the smoke-clogged property early on Wednesday, December 14, it was too late.

Last month, DCI Williamson appealed to the public and particularly those in whom the killer or killers may have confided to look to their conscience and either come forward and speak with him directly.

As a result of that appeal, several new lines of enquiry are being pursued by police.

DCI Paul Williamson said: “Following our appeal for witnesses, we have had an excellent response, which has opened up further lines of enquiry enabling us to make considerable progress in the case.

“I would like to personally thank those who have done the right thing for Andrew’s family and contacted us.

"Those still reluctant to contact us can have complete confidence we will deal with them in a confidential and sensitive way. I urge them to come forward.”

But he had a stark warning for anyone who might consider lying to the police or worse, attempt to protect the killer.

“I want to warn anyone who thinks they can conceal information or lie to detectives making inquiries that they may face arrest and prosecution.

“Our primary focus is to catch the killer, but we will not flinch from taking action if we have evidence someone is trying to protect a murder.”

A reward for information leading to the capture of Mr Heath’s killers stands at £20,000.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101.