Sunderland man to appear at court charged with murder of Andrew Mather

Detectives investigating the death of the 48-year-old have charged Wayne Miller, of Dene Street, Sunderland, with his murder.

The 32-year-old will appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday, June 8).

An investigation was launched after Northumbria Police were alerted by the ambulance service to concern for a man at a house in Aintree Road on Wednesday, June 3.

Sadly, the body of Mr Mather was found inside by emergency services.

At first the police were treating his death as ‘unexplained’ and a large police cordon was put in place as a forensic investigation was carried out.

Officers also sealed off an address in Purley Road, Plains Farm, and a garage in York Road, New Silksworth, as part of the inquiry.

On Thursday, Northumbria Police revealed two men and two women had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A fifth man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

On Saturday night, police charged 32-year-old Wayne Miller with murder.

Detective Inspector Graeme Barr said: “This remains an incredibly difficult time for Andrew’s family any they are continuing to receive specialist support from our officers.

“In recent days we have been carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the circumstances around his death so we can provide them with some answers.

“That has involved house-to-house enquiries and cordons at a number of addresses across the Sunderland area.

“Five people were initially arrested and last night we charged a man with Andrew’s murder. The other four people arrested have been released under investigation.

“There is no wider risk to the public and we are confident that all those involved have been known to one another.

“I want to thank the local community in Sunderland for their patience and co-operation and we hope this update offers some reassurance.”

Two women aged 38 and 18 and a 45-year-old man who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released under investigation.

The 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has also been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is still asked to contact 101 quoting reference 389 03/06/20.

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