Detectives last night made a fresh appeal for information into the brutal murder of well-known school caretaker Eugene Lloyd (Josh) Smith.

The 57-year-old, who was known around the Island as Uncle Josh, was found dead behind Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club early on Tuesday morning. He is believed to have been beaten to death. Last night, the five men who were arrested close to the scene on Tuesday morning were still in Police custody assisting with the murder inquiry, but detectives have not said if or when charges are likely to be brought.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: "We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help with the investigation. We are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the vicinity of Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club between 7 p.m. on Monday night and 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning."

Forensic expert Valerie Rao, from Dade County, Miami, was expected to arrive on the Island last night to assist with the investigation into the senseless slaying of Mr. Smith, who was a regular at the workmen's club in Crawl and was last seen drinking there at about 9.30 p.m. on Monday.

Divorcee Mr. Smith, who had three adult sons, lived in Hilltop Drive, Crawl, and had been born and raised in Hamilton Parish.

Mr. Smith, who had worked at Francis Patton Primary School for 14 years was known as a gentle, warm-hearted man across the Island. For the last two days, counsellors have worked with children and staff at Francis Patton school in a bid to help them come to terms with their loss. And Police victim liaison officers were assisting the family in their grief.

Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister condemned the brutal murder. He said: "Mr. Smith was a kind, friendly and gentle person, well known within Hamilton Parish and much loved by the children in his care at Francis Patton school. "It is a tragedy that Josh's life was cut short in such a senseless, needless and cowardly way. The Police alone cannot prevent violent crime - but they are obliged to catch the criminals. And they do!

"In every one of the cases that has been in the headlines over the last year or so, the accused have been taken into custody within two or three days."

Hamilton Parish MPs Renee Webb, Derrick Burgess, Arthur Hodgson and Randolph Horton all paid tribute to the man who had done so much for their community. Renee Webb, who said she had known him just about all of her life, said he was a quiet warrior who put the children first. Opposition MP Maxwell Burgess said when he ran a junior football team in Hamilton Parish Mr. Smith would pay for the taxi journeys of players to make sure they got to games.

Government MP Reginald Burrows said Mr. Smith had been a constituent of his in Southampton and had helped out at Southampton Rangers sports club. Mr. Hodgson said Mr. Smith had been a quiet source of support during tough political times.

Anyone with information into the killing should call the major crime unit at Bermuda Police on 295-0011, or CrimeStoppers, where information can be given anonymously, on 1-800-623-8477.