The former partner of a Croydon man found dead in his flat in Brighton has been arrested after an international manhunt. 

Ricardo Pisano - nicknamed the 'Artful Dodger' -  had been wanted by police since the decomposing body of Michael Polding, 62, was found in Kemp Town on July 16 last year.

A cause of death was never established, but an inquest in April this year ruled Mr Polding, who suffered serious chest injuries, had been killed unlawfully between May 23 and May 30.

The discovery of his body sparked an worldwide search for South African Mr Pisano, who also has links to New Zealand and is thought to have been the last person to see his former partner alive. 

Mr Pisano, who is in his 30s and also goes by the names Ricky, Ree and Brandon Victor Pillay, was arrested in Southampton after police were called to a disturbance at a house in the early hours of Monday morning.

He was taken to a police station, where officers identified him as the man wanted over Mr Polding's murder. 

He is now in custody in Brighton and is being interviewed by members of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team.

The search for Mr Pisano included BBC Crimewatch appeals and the establishment of a dedicated website. 

Sussex police offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

An inquest into Mr Polding's death at Brighton and Hove Coroners' Court heard he had been "abandoned and neglected" by Mr Pisano, who was alleged to extorted money Mr Polding's friends and turned violent and threatening when it ran dry.

Your Local Guardian: VICTIM: Michael Polding

Mr Polding, originally from Scotland, moved to Brighton from Croydon nine months before his death.