Murder investigation launched after woman dies following serious assault in Blyth

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died following a serious assault in Blyth this week.
......
...

At 9.55am on Tuesday police received a report that a 73-year-old woman had been seriously assaulted inside an address on Wellington Street.

Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries where she has remained in a critical but stable condition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An investigation was launched into the assault and a short time later police arrested a 36-year-old man.

Steven Sanderson, 36, of Wellington Street, was later charged with wounding with intent to cause GBH and appeared before magistrates in Bedlington.

He was remanded into custody following the hearing on Wednesday and is currently awaiting his first appearance at Newcastle Crown Court.

Enquiries into the assault have been ongoing but today the 73-year-old victim sadly passed away in hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a result, detectives have launched a murder investigation and have now appealed for anyone else with information about the assault to come forward.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cole, said: "We have been carrying out enquiries into this assault since the report came in but now that the victim has died we are treating it as murder.

"Officers have already conducted house-to-house enquiries in the area this week but we are now asking anyone else with information to come forward.

"If you heard or saw anything unusual in the area of Wellington Street on Tuesday morning then please get in touch with us as any information could be vital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"A woman has sadly lost her life and we need to establish the full circumstances as to what has happened inside that address.

"I want to reassure residents in Blyth that this is being treated as an isolated incident and that the man charged is known to the victim.

"Officers are conducting patrols in the area over the weekend so if you have any concerns please speak to police."

Steven Sanderson will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on August 29.

Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 303 30/07/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.