Police treating Newcastle murder as 'disability hate crime'

The man was murdered on a patch of grassland near the A1 in Fawdon. Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees

Police investigating the murder of a man in Newcastle say they are treating his death as a "disability hate crime".

The body of 24-year-old Lee Irving, from East Denton, was found on grassland near the A1 in Fawdon at around 8.30am on Saturday (8 June). Mr Irving had learning disabilities and has been described by police as "vulnerable".

Detectives are continuing to question four men and a woman, who were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Members of the public with information about this case can contact Northumbria Police by calling 101.

Police have said they are treating the murder as a "disability hate crime". Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees