MURDER victim Wayne Bircham was the victim of a determined knife attack just five days before he was killed, it has been revealed.
The 19-year-old drug addict, of no fixed address, refused to cooperate with detectives following the first attack, in which a knife was driven right through one of his arms.
Police revealed that they are examining closed-circuit television camera footage, which shows Mr Bircham running for his life, being chased by a number of people, moments before he was stabbed to death in Lancaster Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, last Sunday, with what forensic experts believe was a screwdriver or a stiletto knife.
A number of people have tried to contact the officer heading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, but have rung off, unable to get through.
He appealed to them to get in touch again on his mobile, 0779 577 3851, or the incident room, on (01642) 302687.
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