An innocent man was beaten to death in the street after intervening in an argument following a Valentine’s party, it is believed.

The 44-year-old died at the scene after he was brutally battered with a weapon in the mid-morning attack.

Shocked residents in Guard House Avenue, Braithwaite, Keighley, told yesterday how young children witnessed some of the incident and a woman neighbour tried to save the man as he lay dying in a pool of blood.

Neighbours told how the beating happened after windows were smashed at a house in the cul-de-sac.

One resident said: “There had been a party at the house on Valentine’s night and there was a disturbance which the police were called to in the early hours of the following morning.

“A man turned up at the house hours later and started smashing the windows. The victim, who was called Jason but was known as J, came out of the house to see what was going on and he was attacked.”

Police last night revealed that the dead man, who has not yet been formally identified, died from severe head wounds. It is understood he is having to be identified by his fingerprints because of the extent of his injuries.

A 24-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of murder, remained in police custody for questioning last night. He had been taken to hospital for a check-up after feeling unwell, before interviews continued.

Four men, aged between 33 and 50, arrested yesterday in connection with the inquiry, have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Detective Chief Inspector Simon Atkinson on 101.