A MAN has been charged with murder following a suspected assault on Christmas Day.

An investigation was launched shortly before 11.20pm on Saturday, December 25 when Northumbria Police officers were alerted by the ambulance service that a man had been injured at an address on Sunderland Road, Newbottle, near Sunderland.

Emergency services attended and found 39-year-old Simon Birch, of Sunderland, with a serious injury consistent with having been caused by a bladed article. Despite efforts by paramedics, sadly he died at the scene.

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Simon’s next of kin are continuing to be offered support by specialist family liaison officers at this time.

Northumbria Police said a suspect was arrested a short time after the alleged incident and was taken into custody.

Adam Jenkins, 34, of Sunderland Road, Newbottle, has now been charged with murder and iappeared before magistrates in Newcastle today.

He was remanded in custody to appear before a judge at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, January 24, 2022.

An application for bail may be made at the crown court on Wednesday, December 29.

Detective Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Simon’s family and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this awful time.

“A man has now been charged with Simon’s murder and I would ask that people refrain from any speculation on social media or in the local community that could prejudice the live case.

“All parties are believed to be known to each other and there is no wider threat to the public.

“I would like to thank the community for their support and cooperation throughout this investigation, as well as all those who have assisted with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force's website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20211225-0752.

 

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