The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Sunday, 2.15pm: Seven juveniles arrested in relation to the murder of Spalding man Warren Free have been released on police bail.
Senior investigating officer DCI Martin Holvey, of East Midlands Special Operations Unit (Major Crimes), said: “In the early hours of last Thursday morning we know that there was an incident involving Mr Free and a group of youths, and that he sustained injuries which subsequently led to his death.
“At present I cannot confirm the cause of death as further tests need to be carried out.
“Our investigation is continuing into the circumstances leading up to Mr Free’s death.
“This is a very unusual incident for Lincolnshire as a county and specifically for the Spalding area.
“I would like to thank the public in the town for the help they have given so far, but continue to appeal to anyone who knew Mr Free and who has any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the incident room.”
Anyone with information can contact Lincolnshire Police by calling 101 and quoting incident 161 of August 28.
Saturday 10.45am: Detectives investigating the murder of Spalding man Warren Free have arrested four more youths in connection with the enquiry.
Of the three juveniles arrested previously, one girl has been released on police bail and the other boy and girl remain in custody being interviewed.
There continues to be a significant police presence in the Coronation Close area and anyone with information is asked to approach officers or call the major incident room by dialling 101 and quoting incident number 161 of August 28.
Friday, 10.45pm: Police have revealed the identity of the Spalding man suspected of being murdered.
He has been named as Warren Free (42), of Coronation Close.
Two girls and a boy arrested in connection with the incident remain in custody.
The senior investigating officer urged anyone with information which might help the murder inquiry to get in touch By calling 101 and quoting incident 161 of August 28.
DCI Martin Holvey said: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances in which Mr Free sustained the injuries that led to his subsequent death and I am appealing to anyone with information that may assist to contact the major incident room.”
Mr Free suffered a head injury on Thursday.
He was taken from his home and flown to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. He died in the early hours of Friday.
FRIDAY, 2.30pm: Lincolnshire Police are treating his death as murder and the inquiry will be run by detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (Major Crime).
Police said in a statement: “Two local juvenile girls and one local juvenile boy have been arrested in connection with the man’s death and all three remain in custody.”
Spalding Community Policing Insp Jim Tyner said: “Coronation Close is a close-knit community and I know many will be affected by what has happened.
“My officers will be carrying out extra patrols in the area and I would urge residents to approach them with any concerns”.
Thursday, 2pm: An unconscious man has been airlifted to hospital with a head injury after what police are calling “a suspicious incident” in Spalding.
He is believed to be in his 40s and was at a house in Coronation Close in the Royce Road area.
The air ambulance landed near to Spalding skate park, just off Holbeach Road, on Thursday lunchtime and transported the patient to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said, because the man was unconscious, details are sketchy on what happened.
- More to follow
