Wisbech Murder Investigation

10 August 2010, 16:38 | Updated: 10 August 2010, 16:45

Police are treating the death of a man in Wisbech as murder.

The 49 year old man, who has been named as Peter Kofie, was found unconscious by officers in Norwich Road just after 9pm on Sunday evening.

Paramedics were called and Mr Kofie was taken to a hospital in Kings Lynn, where he died a short while later.

A post-mortem examination at Peterborough District Hospital this morning concluded that he died from a rupture to the artery in his neck caused by an assault.

An inquest into his death is due to be opened tomorrow.

Police have released descriptions of the man who carried out the attack and two men the suspect was with on the night.

The attacker is described as white, about six foot, in his late 20s to early 30s, muscular to stocky build and short dark hair. He was wearing camouflage or combat style knee-length shorts, and a horizontal striped dark and light top, believed to be brown and beige.

One of the men he was with was described as white, about 5'6", 40 to 45, and had a large dark brown or black dog on a leash. The dog was long haired and possibly similar in appearance to a German Shepherd or Husky.

The other was about 50, of large build and had grey or greying hair.

It is believed the three men had been listening to live music being played in the Five Bells pub just before the assault and were stood on a grassed area opposite to the pub, near to a block of flats.

Mr Kofie was confronted and punched opposite the pub and attempted to flee along Norwich Road before being attacked and punched again.

The attacker then fled.

Detective Chief Inspector George Barr, who is leading the investigation, said: "The post mortem has revealed Mr Kofie's death was a direct result of the assault so we are treating this as a murder investigation.

I would like to speak to anyone who recognises the description of the attacker or was in the area at the time. In particular I would urge the two men who were with the attacker to come forward as they could have crucial information.

And I would like to appeal directly to the attacker himself and urge him to do the right thing and come forward and speak to police officers.

Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could help us catch the person responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DCI Barr on 0345 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.