CCTV threat to murder witnesses

Mr Pritchard was found by a neighbour

Police investigating the murder of a teenager say they may publish photographs of up to 20 people who were in the area at the time.

A detective leading the inquiry into the death of 19-year-old Scott Pritchard in Sunderland, said witnesses still to come forward should be "ashamed of themselves".

Mr Pritchard was found outside the back of his home in Hendon, at 1900 GMT on 7 January and later died in hospital.

Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp said he will release pictures of up to 20 people if they do not contact police.

They were caught on CCTV from a nearby shop.

It is not entirely to shame them, I do need to know who these people are Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp

He said some of them must have witnessed the attack on Mr Pritchard, who was on crutches with an injured foot at the time.

Mr Sharp said: "I am disappointed that they have not come forward before now and they should be ashamed of themselves.

"Now is the time to come forward because I am going to find out who they are and go to them.

"I don't want to publish [the photographs], I would rather they came to us first, but I will publish them next week.

"It is not entirely to shame them, I do need to know who these people are... they need to come forward and talk to us now."

Mr Sharp said there had been a lot of help from the local community, but he needed to talk to more people.

He added: "There is an initial reluctance [to come forward] until a trust builds up but we can reassure people that we can help them through this.

"Now is the time to do the right thing."