Six arrested after man dies in Bentilee street stabbing

A MURDER investigation has been launched following the death of a man who was stabbed in the street.

Six people have been arrested after violence flared in Wellfield Road, Bentilee, yesterday.

Emergency services were called at around 12.45am when it was reported that a man had suffered stab wounds.

The victim, a 29-year-old man, named locally as Bugsy Malhi, below, was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

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Police confirmed they were treating the death as murder and a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out today.

The road remained cordoned off until late evening as forensics officers searched for clues.

Neighbours said a party had been going on at one of the houses close to the murder scene on Saturday night.

Police were seen in the garden of the house in the morning.

Matthew Smallman, of Brackenfield Avenue, told how he called for an ambulance.

The 26-year-old said: "My girlfriend woke me up because she heard a noise.

"I could hear shouting and saw someone lying on the ground.

"I thought he was drunk at first but I rang for an ambulance when I didn't see him move after a while.

"I don't know what happened but I thought I saw blood."

His girlfriend Emma Carter, aged 25, added: "It has terrified me because we have a five-year-old."

The victim's family are believed to run the Booze Bargains Extra off-licence in nearby Beverley Drive.

A close friend of Mr Malhi, who preferred not to be named, said: "Bugsy was well known in Bentilee and he was a lovely guy.

"I know him through the shop and we would often go down to the pub together.

"I found out half-an-hour after it had happened and I couldn't believe what I was hearing."

Chief Inspector Mark Dean, local policing team commander for Stoke-on-Trent South, said: "Violent incidents of this nature are very rare and a dedicated team of detectives have launched a thorough investigation.

"Specially-trained family liaison officers are offering support to the man's family."

A floral tribute left at the scene read: "Babe. Love you. Missing you more than anything. You were and always will be my everything and my world. RIP Babe. Jodybean."

A Facebook group called "RIP Bugsy" has also been set up.

Jade Kirsty Rushton left a message reading: "It still hasn't sunk in and don't think it ever will. Miss you so much mate. I will never forget you and all the memories we've had. They will always stay with me."

A 23-year-old man and four women aged 16, 20, 21 and 29, all from the Stoke-on-Trent or North Staffordshire area, have been arrested in connection with the death.

Police also arrested a 24-year-old man from North Staffordshire yesterday afternoon. All six people remained in police custody last night.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 39 of May 13.