Matthew Goddard beaten and then murdered with his electric guitar

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team have charged three men with murdering a man in east Belfast over the Christmas holidays.

Matthew Goddard, who was 41, was found dead in his house in Chobham Street at about 9.40 pm on Christmas Eve.

He was last seen alive at around 6 pm on December 23.

The three men, aged 25, 29 and 35, are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court this morning, Saturday, January 10 for a first remand hearing.

Two of the men have also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident at licensed premises in east Belfast on 23 December.

MIT detectives said Mr Goddard was killed in a “sustained and brutal attack” and had been beaten with his electric guitar and other objects.