Suspicious death: Man walks into police station

The 21-year-old walked into Newton Aycliffe police station, in County Durham, with members of his family yesterday afternoon and was arrested.

The man, from Chilton, County Durham, was last night being questioned in connection with the death of Neil Paul Jones.

Mr Jones was assaulted at a house in West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, late on Thursday and died shortly after, although the cause of his death is unknown.

Three men and a woman, aged 24 to 31, who were in the house were arrested on Friday morning and bailed.

More than 30 officers were involved in the manhunt, during which armed police raided several homes in and around Chilton, including Stephenson Way, Newton Aycliffe.

Police with dogs and off-road vehicles also searched a plantation on the outskirts of Chilton on Saturday afternoon.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting a criminal and have been bailed.

It is not thought there was any danger to the public while the man was at large.

Paramedics were called to West Chilton Terrace on Thursday night, but attempts to revive Mr Jones, 28, failed and he died in a downstairs room.

The married father-of-one is from Bedfordshire, but was in the region visiting relatives.

A post-mortem examination on Saturday was inconclusive, and samples have been sent for testing.

A forensic examination of the terraced house is continuing.

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin said: “We know there was an altercation in the house in West Chilton Terrace that may have been linked to some sort of party that was taking place in nearby Dene Terrace.

“The key to this investigation lies within these two streets.

“There are people living there who know exactly what has gone on and who is responsible, and we would urge them to speak to us.

“A man has died and it is totally irresponsible for anyone to withhold information.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0345-60-60- 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555- 111.