Police have revealed the criminal history of a Margate man whose body was found wrapped in a plastic bag in a shallow grave in Epping Forest.

An earlier post-mortem examination discovered Hidir Aksakal, also known as Boxer Cetin,had been shot.

Today it emerged the Turkish national stood trial in 1998 at the Old Bailey for the murder of Mr Bulent Giritli, a drug dealer in Tottenham.

A 34-year-old Turkish assassin Mustafa Sungar was found guilty, but two other men, including Cetin, were acquitted.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo said: "Cetin did have a criminal history, including links to other criminals, and as part of our investigation we are exploring this.

"Cetin did have a criminal history, including links to other criminals, and as part of our investigation we are exploring this" - Det Ch Insp Jamie Piscopo

"I would stress, that it remains one line of enquiry."

The last known sighting of Cetin was in Green Lanes in the early hours of Monday, August 17, and detectives said they would like to hear from anyone who saw him during the evening of Sunday, August 16.

Det Ch Insp Piscopo said: "I would specifically like to ask for the help of the local community in the Green Lanes area. Cetin was well known locally, and had previously lived in the area.

"If you saw him that Sunday night, or any time after, then I would like to hear from you.

"We are building a picture of Cetin's movements up to that evening and someone may have vital information.

"We are working on the basis that Cetin was murdered shortly after the last sighting of him.

"Cetin's body was found three-and-a-half weeks later, and some efforts had been made to conceal his body."

On Wednesday, September 9 police were called to Epping Forest just after 7pm when a member of the public found Cetin's body.

He had been partially buried, close to Hollow Ponds along Whipps Cross Road, a busy and popular beauty spot, with a café and a boating lake.

It is also surrounded by a number of busy roads, including Whipps Cross Road.

There have been no arrests at this stage.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the incident room at Barking on 020 8345 3715; or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestopers-uk.org