South Yorkshire Police refers itself to watchdog over contact with Denaby Main murder victim

The force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its contact with 51-year-old Jerry Appicella.

“The referral is due to police contact with Jerry Appicella in the weeks before his death,” said a police spokeswoman.

“South Yorkshire Police continue to lead the investigation into his death for which three people are charged with murder and are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court later this year.”

Mr Appicella’s body was found at a property in Craganour Place, Denaby Main, on December 15.

Police believe he was involved in an altercation on December 3 in an alleyway leading to Hickleton Street in Denaby Main.

Shea Nicholson (19), of Lincoln Close, Denaby Main, and Martel Brown (23), of no fixed address, and a 14-year-old boy — who cannot be named for legal reasons — have been charged with his murder.

The defendants have been remanded into custody and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court later this month.