UPDATED: Fourth man charged with murder as part of investigation into Blackpool death

A fourth man has now been charged with murder as part of our investigation following the death of John Hutchinson in Blackpool.

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

Police attended the incident and spoke with the victim, John Hutchinson (pictured), 44, from Blackpool.

At around 9.10pm on the same day we 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.

In total, seven people have now been arrested as part of this investigation.

The latest charge is of David Bond, 33, of Oaklands Avenue, Netherton. He is due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Monday).

Police have previously charged Daniel Cunningham, 33, of Tarnbrook Drive in Blackpool, Lee Clarke, 33, of Greenall Court in Prescot and Darren McCabe, 47, of Warwick Road in Blackpool, with murder, and all three appeared at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court yesterday (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.

Officers are continuing to urge anyone with information about the attack to come forward, and 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. It is now in possession of police but if you saw this vehicle on April 10, please come forward.

Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This investigation is moving quickly and we have now charged a fourth person with murder.

“We are working tirelessly to get answers for Mr Hutchinson’s loved ones and continue to ask anybody with information to come forward.

“If you were in the Scorton Avenue area around the time of the assault you may have seen someone in the area acting suspiciously. You might have dashcam or doorbell footage that shows something suspicious in the area. Or perhaps you know who is responsible. Whatever you know, please tell us.

“As always our thoughts remain with Mr Hutchinson’s family and we continue to send them our deepest condolences.”

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.