Three charged with murder following death of Blackpool man

Police were called around 6.50pm on Easter Monday (April 10) to a report of an aggravated burglary at an address in Scorton Avenue. It was reported three men had entered a flat and assaulted a man before making off from the scene.

Police attended the incident and spoke with the alleged victim, John Hutchinson, 44, from Blackpool.

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At around 9.10pm on the same day police were called by the ambulance service to the same address, with Mr Hutchinson having suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment but sadly later died.

Following a Home Office post-mortem, it was established he had died from internal injuries after the earlier assault. His next of kin have been informed.

Six suspects were subsequently arrested in connection with the investigation, including one from Prescot.

Police in Prescot on Wednesday as part of the investigation (Image: Submitted)

Three people have since been charged with murder. They are Lee Clarke, 33, of Greenall Court in Prescot, Daniel Cunningham, 33, of Tarnbrook Drive in Blackpool and Darren McCabe, 47, of Warwick Road in Blackpool.

All three are due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

The other three people arrested – a 34-year-old man from Blackpool, a 36-year-old man from Liverpool and a 34-year-old woman from Blackpool – have all been released under investigation.

Detectives are continuing to urge anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are still very much with Mr Hutchinson’s family at this very sad and difficult time. We are leaving no stone unturned as we establish exactly what happened and who is responsible.

“As part of our investigation six people have been arrested and of those three have now been charged. However we are still very keen to speak to anyone with information or any witnesses who can assist our enquiries.

“Were you in the Scorton Avenue area around the time of the assault? Did you see anyone in the area acting suspiciously? Do you have any dashcam or doorbell footage that shows anything suspicious in the area? If so, please come forward and speak to us.

“We are particularly interested in a grey Ford Fiesta car, registration SG18 BGU. We believe this vehicle travelled to Blackpool from the Merseyside area on Monday. This vehicle is now in possession of police but if you saw this vehicle on April 10, please come forward."

• Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 1207 of April 10. Alternatively, you can report a crime via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.