Man arrested on suspicion of murdering St Annes man John McQueen is bailed

The 54-year-old from St Annes had been arrested on Friday, December 18, on Queensway.

Victim John McQueen, 53, also from St Annes, had been found unconscious with head injuries outside Atlas takeaway on St David’s Road South on Saturday, December 12. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment, left, and was found collapsed by a member of the public around 3am on Sunday morning near a petrol station on Talbot Road, Blackpool.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital and died on Tuesday, December 15.

A Home Office post-mortem examination has been carried out but further expert analysis is needed to establish a cause of death, police said.

The investigation into Mr McQueen's death suggests he was attacked by a man who got out of a black car near the takeaway.

Officers want to speak to a middle-aged white man with a pony tail, who they believe was walking his Jack Russell dog in the area at the time of the assault

Det ch insp Jane Webb, of Lancashire Police’s major investigation team, said: “Our investigation is very much ongoing and we maintain an open mind about the nature of the investigation.

“We know Mr McQueen was assaulted close to the takeaway and we continue to appeal to anyone who saw what happened or who has any information to contact us.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who saw the victim after he left the hospital and before he was subsequently found collapsed on Talbot Road. Mr McQueen was wearing a grey vest with white writing on, underneath a black tracksuit top. He was also wearing black, possibly khaki tracksuit pants.

“Any information, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, could be crucial to our investigation.

“My thoughts remain with Mr McQueen’s loved ones at this time.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 1492 of December 12. Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.