Attempted murder case remains unsolved a year on from shooting

No charges have been brought over a shooting which sparked an attempted murder inquiry a year ago today.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 8th Dec 2020, 07:00 BST

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Tuesday, December 8, marks 12 months since the attack in Moutter Close, Horden, which left a 40-year-old man seriously hurt in what police said was a “targeted attack”.

Five people were arrested in connection with the probe, but no one has faced charges over the incident.

Durham Constabulary has now confirmed the inquiry into what happened has been closed, but still wants to hear from anyone who could help give them answers.

Durham Constabulary officers could be seen combing the area for evidence following the attack.

Durham Constabulary officers could be seen combing the area for evidence following the attack.

Emergency services were called to the street, off Bruce Kircup Road, at 1.45am, with the North East Ambulance Service taking one man to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment for his injuries.

Within hours of the attack, officers arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder, while two women were questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

On December 10 last year, the force confirmed it arrested another man on suspicion to commit murder, while a woman was taken into custody on suspicion of arresting an offender.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman today said: “We carried out a thorough investigation into the incident, which resulted in the arrest of five people – three women and two men.

A cordon was put up around the area following the incident in Moutter Close in Horden last December.

A cordon was put up around the area following the incident in Moutter Close in Horden last December.

“Following an evidential review, all suspects were released with no further action and the investigation was closed.

“As always, we worked with partner agencies and members of the Horden community to understand and manage any risk.

"Our assessment remains as it did at the time the attack was targeted towards an individual.”

At the time residents reported hearing a helicopter in the area as police, including armed officers, arrived in the street and inquiries got underway.

Part of the street was sealed off as the attempted murder inquiry was launched.

Part of the street was sealed off as the attempted murder inquiry was launched.

Police sealed off the street, with the area combed for evidence.

Horden Household Waste Recycling Centre, off Sunderland Road, was later closed off to the public as part of the investigation.

Durham Constabulary added: “We would encourage anybody with any information on the shooting to get in touch with us on 101, quoting incident reference 51 of December 8, 2019.

“Alternatively, information on all types of criminality can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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