Appeal over cabbie's final hours

Police are trying to piece together the final hours of a well-known taxi driver who died following a "confrontation".

Raymond Quigley from Gateshead suffered a heart attack and was discovered in Beechbrooke, Ryhope, early on Sunday.

The 72-year-old, who had held a Hackney license since 1987, picked up his last fare from Newcastle's Central Station.

Detectives want to speak to any customers who travelled in his black VW Passat. A 17-year-old youth has been arrested and bailed over his death.

Northumbria Police are currently examining CCTV footage from the railway station and have also appealed to other taxi drivers to help trace Mr Quigley's last movements.

The force praised residents from the Beechbrooke and Stockton Road area, who have come forward with information.

A spokesman said the assault occurred in a usually quiet area of Sunderland, where such incidents were few and far between.