DORSET’S Police and Crime Commissioner has paid tribute to the father of eight-year-old murder victim Sarah Payne following his death at the age of 45.

Martyn Underhill was second in command of the team which investigated the notorious murder in 2000.

Following news of Michael Payne’s death, Mr Underhill told the Daily Echo: “It is really sad – he battled with his demons and lost.

“The only good thing is that he is now with his beautiful daughter again.”

Mr Underhill became close to Sarah’s family during the investigation which eventually led to the conviction of paedophile Roy Whiting for her murder.

And he remains in contact with Michael’s parents, Lesley and Terry.

He said: “I have been in contact with Les and Terry today, it is a very sad situation.”

And he tweeted: “RIP Michael Payne, a good man who battled with demons – you can walk with Sarah now, honoured to have known you.”

Mr Underhill was a detective in Sussex at the time of the murder, which shocked the nation.

Mr Payne’s body was found at his home in Maidstone, Kent on Monday. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances.

Michael Payne split from his wife Sara in 2003 after 18 years together, with both of them blaming the difficulties of coping with the tragic loss of their daughter.

Speaking at the time Mrs Payne, who became a child protection campaigner after her daughter's death, said: ''We know we're not the same people we once were - and everyone knows the awful reason why.''

Mr Payne said he felt guilty for being unable to protect his daughter and said this had put strain on his marriage.

Three years ago Mr Payne was jailed after pleading guilty to glassing his brother Stephen following a heavy drinking session during which both men consumed around three litres of cider each and a bottle of vodka.

Sentencing him, Judge Jeremy Carey said he had the ''deepest sympathy'' for the loss of his daughter but the offence warranted a jail sentence.

Speaking after the jail term for his daughter's killer, convicted paedophile Roy Whiting, was reduced in 2010, Mr Payne said the decision to cut the sentence from 50 years to 40 before becoming eligible for parole was ''outrageous''.