Murder in moped row

A murder hunt was launched today after a man died in Wednesbury following a dispute over a moped.

The 55-year-old, who has not yet been named, died at Walsall Manor Hospital late on Friday following an earlier row in Friar Park. Two men in their twenties have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are helping police with their inquiries with regard to that matter.

The pair appeared in court today charged with taking the moped from a funfair at Brunswick Park.

Levan Harvey, aged 22, is charged with aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence or insurance and Richard Edwards, 21, is charged with being carried on the moped.

Det Insp Gary Dring, of Smethwick police, said: "A bike was stolen in Brunswick Park.

"An altercation later took place at an address in Kent Road. No weapons were used. The man died a short time later in hospital."

A police tent was put up at a property in Kent Road.

Sandwell mayor and Friar Park councillor Geoff Lewis said: "My granddaughter went to her hairdressers in Crankhall Lane on Saturday and people were talking about the area around Kent Road being cordoned off.

"I'm told that there was a lot of activity in the area."

"I did not hear or see anything on Friday night but when I woke up the next morning I saw a police tent at the front of one of the houses.

"We've been waiting for some news as nobody around here seems to know what happened."

Another woman who has lived in Kent Road for 52 years said: "I heard there had been a murder and arrests but there are lots of rumours flying around.

"I think the argument started up at the fair in Brunswick Park and then ended down here.

"We were told it was between 9.30pm and 11pm but I went past at 10.15pm and didn't see anything but I know the tent was out in the garden on Saturday."