Murder inquiry after stab death

A 30-year-old man has died after being stabbed in the back while out drinking in a city centre.

David Cornall returned to his home in the Hesketh area of Ribbleton, Preston, before emergency services were called at about 2230 GMT on Tuesday.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where he was treated for a single stab wound, but died about four hours later.

A murder inquiry has been launched and officers are trying to find out where and why Mr Cornall was attacked.

Det Supt Steve Brunskill, leading the inquiry, said Mr Cornall was known to frequent a number of city centre pubs and bars and officers believed he had been drinking on Tuesday night.

It is too early to say why this incident took place but a stranger attack cannot be ruled out... Det Supt Steve Brunskill

Detectives say Mr Cornall left his home to go into the city centre at about 1500 GMT and returned injured at 2230 GMT.

They want to hear from anyone who saw him in that seven and a half hour period, or who knows why he was attacked.

Police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and mounted officers will also be carrying out patrols to reassure the local community.

"It is too early to say why this incident took place but a stranger attack cannot be ruled out, even though they are rare in this area," Mr Brunskill added.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place on Wednesday afternoon.