A Prescot man has been charged with the murder of a man who died following a violent burglary at his Blackpool home.
Josh Hutchinson, 44, died of internal injuries suffered during the assault, which took place at his Scorton Avenue home at 6.50pm on Monday, April 10. Police were called, and it was reported that three men had entered the flat and attacked Mr Hutchinson before fleeing.
At around 9.10pm on the same day, he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where he died.
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Three people - 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 - have now been charged with murder.
Three other people arrested in connection with the crime, including a 36-year-old man from Liverpool, have been released under investigation.
Lancashire Police arrested a seventh person this morning, April 15, following a warrant at an address in Netherton. The 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Detectives are continuing to urge anyone with information about the attack to come forward, and are interested in tracing a grey Ford Fiesta car, registration SG18 BGU, which is believed to have travelled to Blackpool from the Merseyside area on Monday, April 10.
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 and we are working tirelessly to get answers for his loved ones.
“As part of our investigation seven people have now been arrested. 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 or 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 tell us.”
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.
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