St Annes man, 54, is arrested in Blackpool on suspicion of murdering John McQueen

The 54-year-old, from St Annes, was arrested after police stopped a car in Queensway in Blackpool at around 10.30am this morning (Friday, December 18).

He is currently in custody on suspicion of murder.

It follows the death of John McQueen, 53, from St Annes, who was found unconscious with head injuries outside Atlas takeaway in St David’s Road South, St Annes at around 10pm on Saturday (December 12).

McQueen was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment where medics reported his injuries to police.

He later left the hospital and was found collapsed by a member of the public at around 3am on Sunday morning, close to a petrol station in Talbot Road, Blackpool.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for further treatment, but he died from his injuries 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 enquiries suggest Mr McQueen was attacked by a man who got out of a black car and assaulted him close to the Atlas takeaway in St Annes.

Officers are appealing for information and are especially keen to speak to a white man, middle aged 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 Force Major Investigation Team, said: "This remains an extremely complex enquiry and while we have made an arrest for murder today 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 you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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