Hartlepool Murder: Three Held Over Boxer Death

Three people are being held in connection with the murder of an amateur boxer after an incident at a party on New Year’s Eve.

Cleveland Police have confirmed that Mark Denton, 31, had been attending the party at a house in Hutton Avenue, Hartlepool, when the incident happened at 10.20pm.

He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

A police spokeswoman said a 17-year-old youth, a 23-year-old and a man in his 20s have all been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in police custody.

A number of addresses in the Hartlepool area have been searched in connection with the investigation, she said.

Detective Chief Inspector Anne-Marie Salwey, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Mark’s family at this particularly sad time, who are being supported by specially trained officers.

“We are currently establishing the circumstances leading up to Mark’s death, and following a number of lines of inquiry. I would particularly appeal for anyone who was at the party last night and who we haven’t yet spoken to to get in touch.”

Friend Bobby Gill laid flowers outside the large semi-detached house which remained cordoned off and guarded by police today as a forensic examination got under way.

Mr Gill told Sky News: “He was good lad. He was no angel but nobody deserves this, do they? To be killed on New Year’s Eve.”

He said he had known Mr Denton for about 15 years through a local boxing gym.

Mr Denton is understood to be have been a promising middleweight amateur boxer when he was younger and was well-known in the local boxing community.

A Facebook page has been set up to remember him and scores of people have posted tributes.

Kirsty Wildberg said: “R.I.P Mark such sad news you were a brilliant man thinking of all your family and friends at this heartbreaking time xx.”

Dann Thompson wrote: “Rip mark u where 1 of a kind pal loved by many and never forgotten night god bless sleep well big lad thoughts go out to family and friends.”

Ian Glass posted: “It’s with a heavy heart I write this, myself & everybody at the gym will miss you, sleep tight my friend, god bless – amen. Rip Mark Denton – thoughts & prays are with all the family.”

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Hartlepool Murder: Three Held Over Boxer Death