A police inquiry into an alleged attack in a North East town has become a potential murder investigation.

It follows the death of a man four days after suffering an assault at a residential address.

Police received a report of “concern” for a man at an address in North Shields, North Tyneside, shortly before 11.40pm on Tuesday (March 7).

Emergency services attended the scene, in Clifton Gardens, and found a 45-year-old with a head injury.

Read more: Victim of one punch park attack in North Shields died 24 days later

He was taken to hospital but police today (Saturday March 11) confirmed he had, “sadly passed away”, several days after the alleged assault.

A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and was released on police bail.

Detective Inspector Tomasz Fowler, of Northumbria Police, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the victim’s family at this awful time, and we have specialist officers supporting them in every way we can.
“We are determined to find out exactly what happened and bring anyone involved to justice.

“A full investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“We have arrested a man in relation to the incident and officers remain in the area to carry out a range of inquiries and offer reassurance to the community.
“While our investigation is at an early stage, we do believe all those involved are known to each other.

Read more: Police release CCTV of man after North Shields serious assault

“We would like to thank the public for their continued support and cooperation and would ask people not to speculate on details of the investigation.

Read next:

               Sexual assault on North Shields Metro train platform

               North Tyneside paedophile Darren Hutchinson jailed for sexual abuse

               Three in hospital after suspected arson at North Shields flat

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Det Insp Fowler added: “What might seem like an innocent post on social media to you, could, in reality, disrupt an ongoing investigation and cause further upset to the family of the victims.
“We would ask that if you did see something, or have information in relation to what has happened, and have not yet spoken to us, please come forward directly to officers.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on the force website, or by calling 101, quoting log NP-20230307-1255.