UPDATE: Fresh charges in murder probe into death of Sunderland man Lee Dawson

Stuart Brown, 36, of Dawson Walk, Preston, has been charged with murder and Kerry-Ann Metcalfe, 38, also of Dawson Walk, has been charged with assisting an offender.

Both are due to appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, June 23).

Andrew Wilcock, 29, of Lincoln Walk, Preston, and Benjamin Bibby, 20, of Dawson Walk, Preston, previously charged, are due at Preston Crown Court today charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

A 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Tuesday (June 21) has been released on bail pending further enquiries, as have five other men, aged between 18 - 31, previously arrested on suspicion of murder.

Yesterday (Wednesday, June 22) a 33-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of murder, taking the total number of people arrested in connection with the investigation so far to 11.

Officers were called to Jutland Street, in Preston, Lancashire, at about 3am on Friday (June 17) by paramedics after 42-year-old Lee Dawson, originally from Preston but living in Sunderland, was found with stab wounds.

Mr Dawson was taken to Royal Preston Hospital, but later died and a murder investigation was launched.

A Home Office post-mortem examination showed Mr Dawson died as a result of stab wounds.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Haworth-Oates, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “While we have charged a total of four people so far in connection with Mr Dawson’s death our investigation is ongoing and I would continue to appeal to anyone with information to get in touch.”

Following Mr Dawson’s death, his family paid tribute to a “big friendly giant” with a “strong heart”.

In a statement, they added: “Once you had Lee as a friend you had a friend for life. He lived life to the full and will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.”

Anyone with information which could aid the investigation is urged to contact police on 101, quoting log 0149, of Friday, June 17.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be submitted through the force’s website.