A 28-year-old man wanted in connection with his mother's murder is still at large, despite the Metropolitan Police believing he was in custody in Spain.

A European arrest warrant was issued for Sean Heiss on June 22, in connection with the murder of Margot Sheehy, and on the same day the Met Police issued a statement saying he was in custody in Spain.

In fact, Mr Heiss was arrested by San Sebastian police in the week beginning June 18, in connection with a minor assault. At some point after that he was released.

It was still not known how Mr Heiss was allowed to walk free, but police in London confirmed there was still a warrant for his arrest in connection with his mother’s murder.

International agency the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca) are liaising with the Spanish authorities while they continue to hunt for Mr Heiss.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We previously said a 28-year-old man was arrested on a European arrest warrant in San Sebastian, Spain, in connection with the murder of Margaret Sheehy.

“However we have now been informed that this was not the case and he was detained for a separate matter.

“A European arrest warrant has been issued and still stands.”

Margot Sheehy was found dead lying on her couch in her flat in Springfield Road in Kingston on June 12.

Detectives initially believed Ms Sheehy had died from head injuries but a postmortem examination later revealed the cause of death as asphyxiation.