Mother says son left to die 'like an animal'

Father-of-two David Scott was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle suffering from stab wounds after a disturbance in South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, in the early hours of last Sunday.

Stabbed to death: David Scott

Neighbours tried to save the 33-year-old before paramedics arrived, but he died in hospital.

One week after the killing, his mother, Janice Scott, said: "My son was left to die in the street like an animal and the pain and misery of the whole family gets deeper every day.

"He has a large family in the south of England and they have been torn apart by what has happened.

"Christmas Eve was awful, I was wrapping presents for his children when he should have been doing it and Christmas Day was terrible for his children as he was't there.

"His little girl is seven on January 2 and she just wants her daddy back."

As well as a six-year-old daughter, Mr Scott also had a five-year-old son.

He lived with his mother in South Stanley.

Four people, three men and a woman, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and released on bail pending further inquiries.

Police are hunting two men seen running away from the back lane of Rose Avenue, where Mr Scott was found bleeding to death, and are yet to charge anyone with his murder.

Mrs Scott added: “I'd like to thank the police for their hard work and sensitivity.

“We need to find who did this, they mustn't be allowed to get away with it.

“I'd also like to thank the neighbours who tried to help him on the night, and the medical team at the RVI.”

Detectives are continuing the appeal for information to assist the murder investigation.

A spokesman for the Durham force said: "We particularly want to speak to anyone who saw a young man wearing a light blue body warmer in the Stanley or South Moor area on the evening of Saturday, December 22, and up to 2am on Sunday, December 23.”

Anyone with information can call the police non-emergency number on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800-555-111.