Detectives name man who died after disturbance at block of flats as they rule out murder inquiry

Michael Malloy, 40, died in hospital after he became unwell a short time after the disturbance at Eslington Court in Teams, Gateshead.

At about 2.40am on Friday, January 3, Northumbria Police received a report a number of people were trying to force entry to a flat on Eslington Court, in the Teams area of Gateshead, to cause harm to those inside.

Officers arrived at the scene and two men were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries believed to have been sustained in an assault.

Three men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary, while a 39-year-old woman was arrested later.

The incident happened in Eslington Court in the Teams area of Gateshead. Image copyright Google Maps.

A 40-year-old man, since named as Michael Malloy, reported pain in his shoulder and arm and while at hospital he fell ill, collapsed and died.

A criminal investigation into the burglary is ongoing but a post-mortem examination has since established Michael did not die as a result of injuries sustained in the assault.

Detectives are still awaiting the results of toxicology reports but a report will be prepared for the coroner in due course.

The other man, aged 39, suffered a non-life-threatening head injury and he remains in hospital.

Police have since charged four people with aggravated burglary in connection with the incident.

They are Richard Mitchinson, 39, Steven McQueen, 37, Warren Brown, 20, and Melanie Brown, 40, all of whom live in Eslington Court.

All four have been remanded in custody and will appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.

Specialist officers are supporting Michael’s family at this time and they have asked that the public respect their privacy.

Northumbria Police’s Superintendent Dave Cole said the incident is being treated as an “aggravated burglary”.

He added: “We have been supporting the family of the man who passed away and it continues to be a difficult time for them.

“A post-mortem has established that he has not died as a result of the assault and so we won’t be launching a homicide investigation.

“We are treating this incident as an aggravated burglary but we do believe the offenders and the victims are known to one another.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting log 76 03/01/20 or by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.