Michael Richard Sutherland

Michael Richard Sutherland was stabbed to death outside a party in Fairbourne Close, Bransholme, on New Year's Day 1996.

A man was tried for his murder, but the trial was halted when the prosecution offered no further evidence.

It was said that the man and another man had attacked Michael Sutherland outside the party at 2 Fairbourne Close at about 3.30am with a large sheath knife.

His jugular vein was cut, and the knife had gone through his left arm. He was able to stagger across the road before collapsing on a patch of grass.

It was thought that he had been involved in a dispute with several men over jewellery.

His post mortem recorded that he had died from a number of stab wounds.

The police said:

During their investigation the police searched dustbins, gardens and patches of grass nearby for the murder weapon, which was believed to have been a knife.

A neighbour said:

Another neighbour said:

Michael Sutherland had been a divorcee.