Man held after hairdresser killed

Sharon Bell was a mother-of-three

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a hairdresser found dying outside the salon where she worked after being repeatedly stabbed.

The 44-year-old man was detained on Thursday night following the death of Sharon Bell, 38, of Elswick, Newcastle.

Ms Bell was found outside the New York salon in the city centre on Tuesday.

Detectives said it was unlikely the killing of the mother-of-three was random and their inquiry is centring on her background.

Ms Bell contacted police about an alleged domestic incident earlier this year.

At a news conference on Thursday, Det Ch Insp Roger Ford said: "We know that she was working alone in the shop.

"She was still alive at 1700 BST and we know that some time between then and 1720 BST someone has entered the shop and carried out a horrific attack using some form of sharp weapon and subsequently left.

The area was sealed off for inquiries

"Sharon then managed to come out of the shop where she collapsed in the doorway and was found by a member of the public."

A team of officers have been looking at CCTV footage from the city centre, which was busy with shoppers and workers going home.

Mr Ford said: "She was a hard-working mother who worked hard as a hairdresser all her life.

"Her life seemed to revolve around her children and her work.

"Sharon's children are completely devastated by the loss of their mother, and her family are offering every possible assistance to help find her killer."

He said he did not believe recent vandal attacks on her car were linked to the murder.