Three more suspects arrested in stab probe
14 PEOPLE QUESTIONED IN TOTAL
THREE more suspects have been questioned by police probing an alleged stab attack that left a teenager fighting for life.
The 14-year-old today remains in a critical condition in hospital following the incident, which happened in the Elswick area of Newcastle, on Wednesday night.
Now police have revealed the boy was injured after an “altercation” broke out between two groups of people.
And detectives have questioned three new suspects on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. This brings the total number of people arrested in connection with the alleged attack to 14.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “An investigation is ongoing following a report of an assault in Elswick which occurred shortly before 6.30pm on Wednesday.
“It was reported that two groups had been involved in an altercation in the area of Westmorland Road.
“Emergency services attended and found a 14-year-old boy near Elswick Road who had suffered injuries consistent with having been caused by a bladed article. The teenager remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
“An investigation has been ongoing ever since the incident with a total of 14 arrests made. All suspects have since been released on police bail.”
People living near to where the boy was found injured said residents rushed out to help him. One woman said his relatives were beside him shouting for help.
Police initially arrested five people in connection with the incident. Three teenage boys, aged 17, 16 and 15, were held on suspicion of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
A man and a woman, both 40 were questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender. Then eight boys, all aged 16 to 18, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
And since Friday three more suspects, one aged 15 and two aged 16, have been brought in for questioning – also on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Police said patrols had since been stepped up in the area, but officers believe all those involved know each other.
Anyone with information should call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log NP-20221109-0955.