By Ashley Young-
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a retired Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer.
Martin Decker, 69, was found dead at his home in Vyner Croft, Birkenhead, Wirral, where he lived alone, on Sunday evening.
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A post-mortem examination found Mr Decker, who was a senior lawyer for CPS Mersey Cheshire, had suffered a severe blunt force head injury.
A Home Office post mortem revealed the cause of death as a severe blunt force head injury.
A 23-year-old man, of no fixed address, is being questioned by detectives.
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In a statement, Mr Decker’s family said his life was spent “working hard on behalf of other people and for their benefit”.
“He managed a team of lawyers at the CPS, all of whom loved and admired him, they would go the extra mile for him to meet his high standards,” the family said.
One of Mr Decker’s key roles was his involvement with the Unity team in Merseyside, which brought rape and sexual offences lawyers and police together so they could work alongside each other.
Forensic officers have been carrying out enquiries on Tuesday, and his property has been cordoned off.
Siobhan Blake, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: ‘We have been greatly saddened by the news of the death of our former colleague Martin Decker.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult and tragic time.’
In a statement, Mr Decker’s family said his life was spent ‘working hard on behalf of other people and for their benefit’.
The statement said: ‘He managed a team of lawyers at the CPS, all of whom loved and admired him, they would go the extra mile for him to meet his high standards.
‘Martin worked hard but played hard too. He loved travel and sport; he was so happy his beloved Tranmere Rovers Football Club have been doing so well this season.
‘He is loved by all and his passing will leave a massive hole in our lives which can never be filled. He will be dearly missed by his mother and all his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and all family members.’
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Mr Decker worked for CPS Mersey Cheshire as a senior lawyer from 1986 until he retired in 2012. One of his key roles was his involvement with the Unity team in Merseyside, which brought together rape and sexual offences lawyers with police so they could work alongside each other on the type of offending Tributes were also paid by Tranmere Rovers Football Club to Mr Decker, who was a keen supporter of the club.
A statement on the club’s Twitter account said: ‘Everyone at Tranmere is shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of long time season ticket holder Martin Decker.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.’
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