A COMMUNITY leader has condemned the person responsible for the death of a young man in what appears to have been a racially-motivated attack.

Henry Williams, chairman of the South Tyneside Racial Equality Forum, spoke out following Lee Phipps' murder last week.

The 31-year-old was known to stand up to racist thugs who targeted his part-Somalian mother.

He was found with a stab wound to the heart at 5.20pm on the driveway of a house in Cleadon Hill Road, South Shields, last Thursday.

Mr Williams, who is also a member of South Tyneside Independent Advisory Group, said: "This is a tragic incident and our sympathies go to Lee's family.

"It must be terrible for a mother to lose her son. We can only hope that the person who committed this despicable crime is caught as soon as possible.

"The Independent Advisory Group has the utmost confidence in Northumbria Police to investigate this offence thoroughly. Thankfully, racial incidents in South Tyneside are among the lowest in the North-East."

The detective leading the murder investigation has renewed his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Steve Wade said he was disappointed with the response so far and urged anyone who was in the vicinity of Cleadon Hill Road at the time of the attack to speak to detectives.

He said: "We know there were people in the area at the time and it is vital they come forward, whether or not they think they saw anything suspicious. The information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at South Shields police station on 0191-454 7555, ext 65085.