Man questioned after street death

Mr Robertson was found outside a video shop

A man is being questioned by police after being arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in Darlington.

John Paul Robertson, who was 37, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, was found lying in West Auckland Road in the Cockerton area of the town.

It was initially thought the father-of-one had been the victim of a road accident.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, and doctors revealed he had been assaulted.

Forensic search

Tests are being carried out on a knife to see if it could have been used to kill Mr Robertson.

He had been found outside the Blockbuster video shop at about 0700 BST on Saturday.

The bricklayer was discovered by a patrolling police woman who gave him first aid till paramedics arrived.

A post mortem conducted by Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper revealed the victim had died from a single stab wound to the throat.

On Saturday afternoon a 33-year-old man from Darlington walked into Darlington police station with his solicitor.

The man was interviewed by police, before being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Officers carried out door-to-door inquiries over the weekend, and forensic experts conducted a fingertip search of the area where Mr Robertson was found.