A MURDER investigation has been launched after a man was stabbed to death on Portland.

A woman has been arrested following the incident, which occurred around 1.30am yesterday morning in the Easton area of the island.

Shocked friends and colleagues paid tributes to the victim, who has been named locally as Martin Rusling, while neighbours said it was ‘a sad day.’ Dorset Police cordoned off a bungalow in Park Road as scenes of crime officers carried out their forensic investigations.

Mr Rusling worked as a laminator for Tods Aerospace Defence, in Wide Street, which is currently closed for the festive season.

His colleague Nick Gould said: “It’s very sad. He was a real nice block.

“It’s a bit of a shock.

“I worked with him for 10 years, he grew up in Weymouth and used to live around Broadwey.

“He was just an ordinary sort of guy, who went to work and came home, had a drink.

“He was always clean and tidy.”

Mr Rusling was a regular at the Corner House Inn, Straits.

Corner House landlord Jeff Chitty said: “Martin was one of the gang, one of the lads. I can’t believe it.

“He used to go here and to the Punch Bowl and New Inn.

“A lot of people are going to be really upset, he was really well known.”

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “I heard shouting late at night and thought it was just kids.

“When three police cars and an ambulance turned up I thought it must be really bad.

“I’ve only lived here since September but it’s a really nice community.

“This is shocking.”

Another neighbour said: “It’s a sad day, I used to chat to him when we went to Tesco, he looked to be in his 30s. He and his girlfriend kept themselves to themselves, I used to see him sweeping up out the front.

“When I saw the police scenes of crime people I thought, ‘Something has gone seriously wrong.’ “Christmas is a very stressful time for some.”

A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called by the police just after 1.30am to attend an address on Portland.

“It is a police matter.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 or 01202 222222.

How the drama unfolded

DORSET Police started the murder investigation following the sudden death of a man in the early hours of yesterday on Portland.

At 1.27am police were called to an address along Park Road after a report from a member of the public that a man had been stabbed and consequently seriously injured.

Paramedics attended and the man, believed to be in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 44-year-old woman from Devon has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries.

The coroner has been notified and next of kin have been informed. The victim has not yet been formerly identified.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, of the major crime investigation team, said: “At this time we believe this is a domestic incident and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the man’s death.

“Anyone who saw or heard anything unusual or suspicious, in or around Park Road early yesterday morning or late Tuesday night, should call Dorset Police on 101.

“There is also a Tesco supermarket near to the address and I would urge any staff working through the night to think carefully about anything they may have witnessed, anything which could be useful to our investigation.”

A cordon has been set up at the address while experts forensically examine the scene.

Safer neighbourhood officers are in the area to provide reassurance to residents.

Community stunned by death

Portland Town Mayor Ian Munro-Price said: “It’s very sad and really my thoughts go out to the victim’s parents and family who’re left.

“It’s not typical of here, we’re quite a quiet town really. It’s a big shock, especially just after Christmas.”

Borough Mayor Graham Winter added: “It’s shocking news to hear things like this happen.

“Thankfully we live in a fairly safe area and things like this are rare.

“Our thoughts are with his family, I’m very sorry it’s happened.”

The Rev Chris Briggs, superintendent minister for the Portland Methodist Circuit, echoed these sentiments. He said: “It’s immensely sad for those involved and also for the community. It’s very unusual as well, Portland is a very safe place to live.

“We now need to let the police do their job finding out exactly how it happened.”