Date set for inquest into death of solicitor found with stab wounds

Dad-of-two Peter Maine, of Wynyard, died from stab wounds to his chest while out jogging in Durham City on September 1 last year.

A date has been set for an inquest into the death of the former Easington Colliery solicitor, which will take place in Crook Coroner’s Court on January 7.

The 56-year-old, of Swainston Close in Wynyard, was found on a riverside footpath opposite the running track at Maiden Castle sports centre, where Hartlepool United train.

Detectives initially launched a murder-style investigation but, as reported previously, police said he may have stabbed himself.

Mr Maine suffered three stab wounds in his heart, two of which were fatal as they pierced his left and right ventricles.

At an earlier hearing Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chapman said there were no restraint or defence marks on Mr Maine’s body which he said was indicative of the wounds being self inflicted.

But officers are still looking into the possibility that a third party was involved as no weapon has yet been recovered and the wounds were inflicted through Mr Maine’s clothing.