TV’s Our Cops in the North follows probe into fatal City arson attack
A murder inquiry launched after a fatal fire is at the centre of the final instalment in a documentary series on Northumbria Police.
Episode five in the first series of Our Cops in the North will be screened today, from 9pm on BBC One.
Among the investigations it covers is the death of Patryk Mortimer, 39, who died as he tried to escape a fire started inside the former Manor House Care Home in Easington Lane on November 3, 2018.
The blaze inside the building, which had been turned into accommodation and was home to 11 people at the time, reached 1,000 degrees.
It follows Detective Superintendent John Bent, who has since moved to Cleveland Police,
as his team works alongside forensic investigators to piece together what happened.
That led them to Declan Lancaster, 23, who admitted manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court in March and is due to be sentenced early next month.
The programme’s makers say: “John Bent is proud of his record of solving all the murders he has investigated, but the odds are stacked against him on his latest case, a fire that resulted in one death but could have led to mass fatalities.
"The evidence has gone up in smoke, there is no CCTV footage, and community tensions mean witnesses aren’t coming forward.”
The BBC adds about the show: “Sergeant Phil Hamlani and his neighbourhood team have gathered enough intelligence to raid the address of a suspected drug dealer, but they are aware that there is potential danger behind every door.
“Elsewhere, another life is under threat.
"A grade one call comes in from paramedics who are being obstructed from carrying out CPR.
"Response officers Mark and Sarah rush to the scene, but the person has fled the scene, a drugs den.
"Despite the paramedics’ best efforts, the victim is pronounced dead.
"Meanwhile, reports of a hold-up at a local takeaway have come in, and the suspect is quickly identified from the CCTV.
"And rural cop Lee Davidson follows up on a curious case of cannabis plants that have been discovered at a country estate.”
The programme will be available to watch via the BBC iPlayer after it has been shown.