DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man who died six days after a New Year’s Day attack have arrested four people.

Barry Self, 38, died after he was assaulted in the street outside a house on Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead, where he had been seeing in the New Year.

After carrying out inquiries, officers from the Durham and Northumbria police forces cordoned off a house on Dene Court, Hamsterley Mill, County Durham at 8pm on Wednesday.

Four people were arrested, including a 38-year-old man wanted in connection with Mr Self’s murder. The other three, two women aged 25 and 71, and a 38-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All four were taken to Etal Lane police station, Newcastle, for questioning.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Watson, a police commander in the north Durham area, said the operation passed off “without incident”.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Anastasi, who is leading Northumbria Police’s murder inquiry, said: “We are still appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the murder to contact us.”

Mr Self, of Blyth, in Northumberland, had been drinking at The Bugle pub, Leam Lane, on New Year’s Eve when he and other drinkers were invited back to a party at a house in Underwood. He was found injured at 4.55am on January 1.

His parents, Heather and Bob, have described him as “a wonderful son and a fantastic dad”.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 03456- 043-043, extension 69191, or the Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.