Knife found in murder probe
A lock knife used to kill a young father-to-be-in a Sandwell street attack has been discovered yards from where he was found dying.
A lock knife used to kill a young father-to-be-in a Sandwell street attack has been discovered yards from where he was found dying.
Police are satisfied the knife was the weapon which delivered the fatal wound to Thomas Coombs Duffield, aged 20. Today it was revealed that Mr Duffield's girlfriend Stephanie is due to give birth to his child in two months' time.
She has left a poignant message on flowers at the spot where the fatal blows were delivered saying simply: "Always love you my Angel, love Steph n baby".
Mr Duffield died in Sandwell Hospital at 1am yesterday despite the efforts of medics to save him.
He appears to have been attacked in Bustleholme Avenue and staggered to nearby Bustlehome Lane where he collapsed.
Police carrying out a fingertip search of the area discovered the weapon, a short silver lock knife, between garages close to the crime scene, in the Bustleholme Avenue area.
Dc Simon Astle of West Bromwich Police, this afternoon said: "The weapon was a silver coloured knife with a fold out blade which is then locked in place.
"It was discovered by officers carrying out searches close to the crime scene yesterday."
The former pupil of Manor Foundation School, Wednesbury, known as Tommy Duffield or "Duffy" to his friends was said to be a keen amateur footballer.
Residents who called an ambulance as he lay bleeding spoke of the horror.
James Boulton, aged18, said: "All he kept repeating was 'I'm going to die, I'm going to die'. I did what I could for him and got a towel, but I couldn't staunch the blood.
"I don't think I will ever get over what I saw."
A 20-year-old local man was been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
A woman, aged 21, arrested in connection with the incident has been released without charge.