Police given more time to question murder suspects

Two men aged 33 and 48 and a woman aged 22, all from Crawley, were all arrested on Sunday afternoon after a 45-year-old man was found seriously injured in an alleyway between Stephenson Way and Haslett Avenue East.

The victim died later that day.

Magistrates have now given officers until the early hours of Thursday morning (January 23) to question the suspects on suspicion of murder.

A 23-year-old man from Crawley is also still in custody being questioned on suspicion of murder.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said initial indications from the post mortem suggested the victim was assaulted and suffered head injuries between 10pm on Saturday and 3.25am on Sunday, when his body was discovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Taylor, from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This investigation is progressing well and we have asked for extra time to question the suspects to clarify a number of issues, in particular in connection with items found during the police searches.

“We would still like to speak to anyone who has not yet contacted us but who has any information about the attack and during the minutes before and after it.”

Searches are still continuing with officers guarding each scene so that they can be examined thoroughly for evidence.

Officers continue to liaise with the Portuguese authorities to notify the man’s relatives.

Anyone with information about the death should call 101 quoting Op Atlas, email [email protected] or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.