A MURDER investigation has been launched after a North-East father-of-three died almost two years after he was attacked.

Kevin Pharoah, 49, who developed epilepsy after being beaten in a pub in January last year, suffered a fit and was found dead last Tuesday.

Northumbria Police confirmed it is the first time they have carried out a murder investigation of this kind since a campaign backed by The Northern Echo succeeded in overturning the "year-and-a-day" law.

Until 1996, the 400-year-old law ruled out any prosecutions for murder and manslaughter if the victim died more than a year and a day after the assault.

Postman Mr Pharoah had been unable to work since he was attacked in the Fret and Fiddler, formerly The Traveller's Rest, in Front Street, Sunniside, near Gateshead.

He had been at an 18th birthday party.

Police are now trying to trace anyone who was in the pub that night.

Detective superintendent Ian Sharpe, who is leading the investigation, said: "Although Mr Pharoah died more than 18 months ago, it is clear that he died as a result of the injuries he received that night, and his death is being treated as murder.

"We have identified a number of people who were at this party, but we need to speak to anybody who was there."

The year-and-a-day law was scrapped after Darlington mother Pat Gibson waged a three-year campaign following the death of her 20-year-old son.

Michael Gibson never regained consciousness after he was punched in an unprovoked attack in Darlington town centre, and died 16 months later.

His attacker could only be charged with grievous bodily harm, and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Backed by The Northern Echo and Darlington MP Alan Milburn, Mrs Gibson collected 5,000 signatures of support for her campaign.

Anyone with information about the attack on Mr Pharoah is asked to call police on 0191-221 9087