Police reassure West Rainton residents as five held on suspicion of John Hall murder

Five men are being held on suspicion of murder over the death of John Anthony Hall, 46, of Shiney Row, near Sunderland.

His body was found by a dog walker at 7pm on Sunday night in Mark’s Lane, West Rainton, a few miles east of Durham City.

A post-mortem has revealed that Mr Hall died of multiple injuries.

Chief Inspector Andy Huddlestone , of Durham Police’s Durham City neighbourhood team, said Mr Hall suffered a “very violent assault’’.

But he stressed that people in the area should not be unduly worried.

“I can reassure the public that this was not a random attack,” he said.

“Durham Constabulary are taking this extremely seriously and officers have been working round the clock since Mr Hall’s body was discovered by a dog walker on Sunday evening.

ON GUARD: A police officer guards another area cordoned off in West Rainton, outside Westbourne Medical Group

“While the body of Mr Hall was found near West Rainton I can reassure the community of Durham, and in particular those of West Rainton and Leamside, that this is not linked to the local area."

Chief Insp Huddlestone said he could not comment on rumours about the injuries Mr Hall suffered or on speculation that the murder had been committed elsewhere and the body dumped at West Rainton.

He was also unable to comment on a possible motive for the killing although he did say “it is quite possible that these people did know each other’’.

He urged anyone with information, or who saw anything, to call detectives.

He particularly wants to hear from anyone who was in Mark’s Lane over the weekend and may have seen something that could be important to the investigation.

People can call the Durham force’s non-emergency number, 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

INQUIRIES CONTINUE: The path between Milburn Terrace and South Burn, West Rainton, looking from South Burn, has been cordoned off by Durham Police