Probe into death of street attack man

Po l i c e a re p rob i n g th e d eath o f a Su n d e rl a n d man two months after he was injured in a street attack.

Michael Christopher Cowie needed hospital treatment for a head injury after he was knocked to the ground and assaulted at 7.05pm on Monday, September 11, in Hastings Street, Hendon.

The 36-year-old was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital and then transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, before he was later discharged.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and released pending further inquiries.

In the early hours of Sunday, November 5, police were called to an address in Barclay Street, Roker, by the ambulance service, who were dealing with a sudden death.

The dead man turned out to be Mr Cowie, who had previously been assaulted in Hendon.

T h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s around his death are part of an ongoing investigation.

A post mortem examination has been carried out, but the result was inconclusive.

D ete c t ive S e rgea nt Victoria Ford-Stubbs of Sunderland CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the street attack back on Monday, September 11, to come forward to help with inquiries.”

Police are appealing for witnesses, and would like anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to contact officers.

Anyone with information should call police on 1 0 1 , qu o t i n g re f e re n c e number of 1019 of 11/09/17.

Anyone who does not want to speak directly to the police can still contac t th e i n d e p e n d e nt charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and the person who makes the report will not go to court.