DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Shane Tunney have renewed their appeal to trace a woman who called anonymously from a Billingham telephone box.

Despite a number of previous appeals to trace the woman, she has yet to come forward and today (Friday, October 9) Detective Chief Inspector Steve Young returned to the call box in another effort to persuade her to help with the inquiry.

Officers wish to appeal to her directly as it is believed she may have further information which could assist the investigation.

The 24-year-old died in hospital almost five weeks after an alleged incident which took place on Holly Street in Norton, near Stockton, at around 2am on Saturday, June 27.

Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Steve Young, said: “From enquiries we know that the call was made from a telephone box at South View, Billingham, at 10.32pm on Thursday, July 9.

“I would urge the woman that made that call to contact police again as I believe that she may have further information which could assist this investigation. She can speak to me directly, by calling 101, or I can call her back if she wants to leave her contact details.

“I also believe that there are still people in the wider community who have not yet come forward with information which could assist police and I would also ask those people to speak to officers about what they know or what they may have seen on the night of the alleged incident.”

Mr Tunney and his friend, Anthony Kirk, had visited a cash machine at Tesco Express on Norton High Street on their way to a local takeaway when an altercation took place.

Mr Tunney, a car valeter, was fighting for his life at the James Cook University hospital, in Middlesbrough, when his girlfriend, Vix Cooper, made an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

But he never recovered from his injuries and died a few days later.

A cavalcade of cars later took part in a tribute to Mr Tunney. More than 70 vehicles decorated with a blue ribbon – Mr Tunney’s favourite colour – drove slowly down Norton High Street, before heading to Preston Park, in Eaglescliffe, where blue balloons were released.

Seven males aged between 16 and 18 have appeared in court charged with murder.