Detectives are continuing the investigation into the murder of a teenager who was attacked despite being on crutches.

Scott Pritchard, 19, of Hendon, Sunderland was found unconscious with head injuries outside the back gate of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, at around 7pm on Wednesday January 7.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Sunderland Royal Infirmary and a post mortem examination concluded his injuries had been caused by a blunt instrument.

A murder incident room has been set up at Sunderland West area command headquarters in Farringdon.

There has been a full forensic examination of the scene and house-to-house enquiries are continuing in the area.

Detectives are also talking to Scott's family and friends to establish his exact movements in the hours leading up to his death and build up a picture of who was in the area at the time.

Three people arrested in connection with Scott's murder have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Scott was single and lived with his mother in Lindsay Close. He was unemployed and well known in the Hendon area where he had a wide circle of friends. He had recently injured his foot and was getting around on crutches.

On Wednesday afternoon he visited the local employment office, returning home at about 6pm _ an hour later he was found unconscious by a neighbour.

Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp, who is leading the investigation, said today: " I'm appalled at the ferocious nature of this attack on a defenceless young lad who was outside his own home.

"Our inquiries show he was a very nice, placid, likeable young lad who did not appear to have any obvious enemies.

"Yet he was attacked when he was not in a position to defend himself as he was on crutches."

A motive for the attack has not been established and the murder weapon has not been found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 0191-563 6946.