POLICE investigating the murder of a North-East man on Boxing Day say appeals for information have yielded a good response.

Known criminal Kevin Mawhinney, 33, was found with a stab wound following a brawl near his home in James Street, Easington Colliery, County Durham at about 12.30am.He died in Hartlepool General Hospital.

Police initially said witnesses might be reluctant to come forward for fear of being charged themselves.

But Detective Superintendent Tom Ryan, the man leading the inquiry, said last night: "We have had a good response to our appeals for information about the circumstances surrounding Mr Mawhinney's death and this has enabled us to move on with our inquiries.

"However, we still need more and we particularly want to hear from anyone who was in James Street or the surrounding area on the night in question.

"We know Mr Mawhinney was involved in two altercations with a group of people, firstly at a house and then about 20 minutes later in the street, where we believe he sustained the injury which killed him."

Det Supt Ryan said witnesses worried about being charged with a public order offence had nothing to fear. Anyone with information should call 0191-581 2255.

l Police arrested a local man in his late 20s last night, in connection with the murder of Mr Mawhinney. He was due to be interviewed last night