'Murder' victim named as police appeal for info on two incidents

THE victim in a murder probe which has seen five people arrested has been named by South Yorkshire Police.

Stephen Georgeson (32) died on Sunday, two days after a serious assault in Thurnscoe.

Police are appealing for information relating to two incidents in the village as they build a picture of the circumstances leading up to the death.

Det Chief Insp Mark Oughton said: “My appeal for information today is three-fold. It begins with an incident that took place in Derry Grove Park just before 8.30pm on Thursday, June 4, when police received a report that Stephen, who was also known locally as Squeek, was unconscious in the park. He was checked by paramedics and returned home a short time later.

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you hear any kind of disturbance? Were you driving a car with a dashcam that may have footage that would help our investigation?

“The second part of my appeal is for information about the suspected serious assault that took place the following day, Friday, in the Houghton Road area of Thurnscoe, at around 7pm. 

“Police received a call from ambulance staff reporting concerns for Stephen, who had been taken to hospital with a serious head injury.

“Were you on Houghton Road or in the surrounding area between 6.30pm and 7pm? Did you hear or see anything that was unusual?

“Lastly, we want to hear from anyone who may have seen Stephen in the Thurnscoe area at any time on either Thursday 4 or Friday 5 June.

“Did you capture any people or vehicles on your CCTV cameras or dashcams? Even something that seems insignificant or routine could be vital to our investigation.”

Five people were still in custody last night after being arrested on suspicion of murder. 

Four of these — a 36-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and two 15-year-old boys – were initially arrested on suspicion of assault. 

The fifth, a 34-year-old man, was also arrested on suspicion of murder, while a sixth (35) was held on suspicion of murder and bailed.

Det Chief Insp Oughton said: “I would like to reassure members of the public that this was an isolated incident and there is no risk to anyone in the wider community.”

Extra patrols have been put in place and Mr Georgeson’s family is being supported by specialist officers, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 650 of June 5.

You can also give information to Crimestoppers anonymously via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111, or report online via the public portal.